Hybrid cameras that download electronic images in selected geometric formats and methods

ABSTRACT

In a camera and method, a plurality of image pairs are captured. Each image pair has an archival image of a scene and an initial electronic image of the same scene. The archival image of each pair has a first geometric format. The initial electronic images are stored in memory. A designation of a alternative geometric format different than the first geometric format is recorded in association with selected image pairs. The initial electronic images of the selected image pairs are reformatted to respective alternative geometric formats to provide formatted electronic images. The formatted electronic images are downloaded.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 09/976,344, entitled: HYBRID CAMERAS HAVINGELECTRONIC IMAGE CONVERSION TO SELECTED GEOMETRIC FORMATS AND METHODS,filed 12 Oct. 2002, in the name of Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux; Ser.No. 09/976,583, entitled: CAMERAS HAVING FILM UNIT DEPENDENTDEMONSTRATION MODE IMAGE DELETION AND METHODS, filed 12 Oct. 2001, inthe names of Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux and Robert Luke Walker, Ser.No. 09/976,489, entitled: HYBRID CAMERAS THAT REVISE STORED ELECTRONICIMAGE METADATA AT FILM UNIT REMOVAL AND METHODS, filed 12 Oct. 2001, inthe name of Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux; Ser. No. 09/976,973, entitled:HYBRID CAMERAS THAT DOWNLOAD ELECTRONIC IMAGES WITH REDUCED METADATA ANDMETHODS, filed 12 Oct. 2001, in the name of Stephen G. MalloyDesormeaux, and Ser. No 09/976,306, entitled: HYBRID CAMERAS HAVINGOPTIONAL IRREVERSIBLE CLEARANCE OF ELECTRONIC IMAGES WITH FILM UNIT,filed 12 Oct. 2001, in the name of Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and photographic equipment andmethods and more particularly relates to cameras and methods in whichelectronic images are downloaded in selected geometric formats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A continuing problem in the manipulation of digital images has been thesize of the images relative to the capacity of the infrastructurerequired to manipulate those images. This particularly relates tobandwidth of network connections, but also relates to such things as thespeed of connected communication ports of cameras and computers. Thisproblem has led to digital camera users physically transferringremovable memory elements to obtain photofinishing. This has theinconveniences of transferring film and, unlike photographic film, inmany cases also risks damage or loss to an expensive memory element.This risk is resolved by some hybrid cameras which allow for thetransfer of archival images in a film unit and at the same time provideimmediate image review and electronic image downloading. In hybridcameras, electronic images can be limited to a lower resolution thancorresponding archival images so as to increase the speed ofdownloading. This is helpful, but further reductions in the timerequired for downloading are desirable.

Hybrid electronic-film cameras allow photographers to capture sceneimages (the light images of particular scenes) as latent images onphotographic film and as electronic images that are digitized and storedin memory. Metadata corresponding to the images is also written to thememory and film. Metadata can include designations of geometric formatsto be used in photofinishing of the film. The electronic images areretained in the memory until being overwritten or being removed, such asby withdrawal of a removable memory unit. The electronic images are madeavailable for use by downloading into a computer or other device. Thephotographer is generally allowed to view electronic images in thememory of the camera.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,978,016 and 5,845,166 the hybrid cameras have ahybrid capture mode, in which a captured electronic image is initiallystored as a “working image” in an aspect ratio matching that of aconcurrent film image. Each electronic image is then transferred toanother memory for storage in an aspect ratio matching the correspondingfilm frame. The aspect ratios correspond to the C, H, and P printformats of APS film and the C and P aspect ratio electronic images arecropped in the same manner as APS film images. The cropped electronicimages save space in memory, but still match the format of thecorresponding film frames of a film unit loaded in the camera.

The C, H, and P print formats of APS film can be recorded on arespective APS film unit as magnetically recorded metadata on a layer ofthe filmstrip. APS cameras are available that allow some magneticallyrecorded metadata for an image to be changed after capture of thatimage. For example, the number of prints wanted can be changed or set tozero.

It would thus be desirable to provide improved cameras and methods inwhich download times are reduced and downloaded images are likecorresponding photofinished images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broaderaspects, provides cameras and methods, in which a plurality of imagepairs are captured. Each image pair has an archival image of a scene andan initial electronic image of the same scene. The archival image ofeach pair has a first geometric format. The initial electronic imagesare stored in memory. A designation of an alternative geometric formatdifferent than the first geometric format is recorded in associationwith selected image pairs. The initial electronic images of the selectedimage pairs are reformatted to respective alternative geometric formatsto provide formatted electronic images. The formatted electronic imagesare downloaded.

It is an advantageous effect of the invention that improved cameras andmethods are provided in which download times are reduced and downloadedimages are like corresponding photofinished images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of an embodiment of the camera and apersonal computer.

FIGS. 2–2B present a schematic diagram of another embodiment of thecamera.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical view of a procedure for sequencing throughimages captured using the camera of FIG. 2. Cross-hatching is used indrawings of the image display to indicate an area in which no image isshown.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical view of a procedure of editing imagescaptured using the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 a is a diagrammatical view of the display of an electronic-onlyimage in the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 b is a diagrammatical view of the display of a reversibly erasedelectronic image in the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the method for revised storedmetadata at film unit removal.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical view showing how metadata and electronicimages in memory are overwritten in an embodiment of the method of FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the method for selectiveclearance of electronic images upon film unit removal.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatical view showing how electronic images in memoryare cleared in an embodiment of the method of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical view showing how metadata and electronicimages in memory are overwritten in an embodiment of the method of FIG.10.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for handling imagesin an embodiment of the camera having a demonstration mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatical view showing how metadata and electronicimages in memory are overwritten in the embodiment of the method of FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatical view showing the camera operation indemonstration mode.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for convertingstored electronic images to a selected aspect ratio.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatical view showing conversion of stored electronicimages in the method of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for downloadingimage files having reduced metadata.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatical view showing image downloading.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for downloadingimage files having aspect ratio cropping.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatical view of an image file that includes anelectronic image and respective metadata.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, feature sets of the several different cameras andmethods are discussed in terms of particular embodiments combining allor many of those features. Alternative embodiments combining fewerfeatures and alternative features are also discussed herein. Otheralternatives will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

The cameras herein each provide both an archival image of a scene and anevaluation image of the same scene. The archival image and theevaluation image are captured concurrently. The archival image is laterused in photofinishing, or printing, or other long term or relativelylong term use. The evaluation image is immediately available for displayand review by the user.

Some of the cameras discussed herein have embodiments with a singleelectronic imager that is used to capture a scene image as an initialelectronic image. Both an archival image and an evaluation image aregenerated from the initial electronic image. The evaluation image can besubsampled from an original electronic image so as to provide lowerresolution derived images. The lower resolution derived images can beprovided using the method described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,164,831, entitled “ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA PROVIDING MULTI-FORMATSTORAGE OF FULL AND REDUCED RESOLUTION IMAGES”, to Kuchta, et. al.

In currently preferred embodiments, the cameras 10 have a capture systemthat has an archival image capture unit 14 and a separate evaluationimage capture unit 16. The two different capture units 14,16 can take avariety of forms and can be completely separate from each other or canshare some or most components. The evaluation image capture unit 16captures a scene image electronically and can also be referred to as anelectronic image capture unit 16. The archival image capture unit 14captures and stores images in a flim unit 18.

The term “film unit” is used herein to refer to media 20 on which imagedata is or can be stored for archival purposes with or without mediamodification, and physically associated structures 22 supporting use ofthe media 20. Each film unit 18 stores or can store a plurality ofarchival images. In a film-type film unit 18, the media 20 is aphotographic filmstrip 20 a. The support structure 22 of a film-typefilm unit 18 a generally provides light blocking and, for example, caninclude a spool 22 a on which the filmstrip 20 a is wound and canister22 b enclosing the filmstrip 20 a and spool 22 a. In an electronic-typefilm unit 18, the media 20 is removable digital storage media. Withdigital storage media, archival images are transferred in digital formfor photofinishing, printing, or other use. An electronic-type film unit18, like a photographic film unit 18 is removable from the camera 10.The term “film unit” is not used herein to refer to non-removabledigital storage media. The type of digital media used and the manner ofinformation storage, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic, is notcritical. For example, a digital film unit can be a floppy disc, a CD, aDVD, a tape cassette, or flash memory card or stick. It is currentlypreferred that the film unit provide non-erasable storage of imageinformation. This prevents any occurrence of accidental erasure, byrerecording over a used film unit or the like. Photographic film isnon-erasable in this manner, as are some types of digital storage media,such as write-once compact discs.

The evaluation image capture unit 16 captures electronic images. Thearchival image capture unit 14 is generally described herein in terms ofa photographic film image capture unit 14 a that captures images onphotographic film. The camera 10 is not limited thereby. For example, asan alternative, the archival image capture unit 14 and evaluation imagecapture unit 16 can be two different electronic capture units. Anexample of a suitable digital camera having two such electronic captureunits is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,218, entitled “ELECTRONICCAMERA WITH DUAL RESOLUTION SENSORS”, to Smith.

The camera 10 can also alternatively allow use of either a film imagecapture unit or an electronic capture unit as the archival image captureunit 14, at the selection of the photographer or on the basis ofavailable storage space in one or another capture media or on some otherbasis. For example, a switch (not separately illustrated) can providealternative film capture and electronic capture modes.

The invention is generally discussed herein in terms of film units 18 athat use photographic film for storage of archival images as latentimages and, optionally, store some additional information in the filmunit 18, magnetically, optically, or both. It will be understood thatequivalent considerations apply to other types of film units 18. Forexample, units of digital memory for individual archival imagescorrespond to film frames (discussed in detail below).

Camera 10 features disclosed herein are particularly advantageous forhybrid cameras having archival image units that capture images usingphotographic film-type film units as archival media and also havingelectronic image units that capture the evaluation images. Theelectronic image unit 16 in a camera 10 is part of an electronicsubsystem 23 that also includes an image display 32 for reviewing thecaptured electronic images. This is not limiting. Electronic-type filmunits can be used in place of photographic film-type film units. Somefeatures are advantageous for electronic cameras that do not use a filmunit, that is, cameras that store images only on internal memory.Advantages of specific embodiments will be readily apparent by simpleexperimentation implementing the particular features.

Camera Features

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1–4, the camera 10 has a body 24that holds a capture system 12 having an archival image capture unit 14that uses photographic film 20 a and an evaluation image capture unit 16that captures images electronically. When the photographer trips ashutter release 26, a subject image (a light image of a scene) iscaptured as a latent image on a frame 28 of the film 20 a and at leastone electronic image is captured on an electronic array imager 30 of theevaluation image capture unit 16. The electronic image or images aredigitally processed and used to provide one or more derived images thatcan be shown on an image display 32 mounted to the body 24.

The electronic images, as captured in analog form and afterdigitization, but not other modification, are referred to genericallyherein as “original electronic images”. After further modification, theelectronic images are referred to generically herein by the term“derived images”. Derived images are modified relative to the originalimages. This can be for calibration to the display or a particular filestructure, or matching to output media. These modifications may or maynot also include the addition of image metadata to the electronic imagefile. A derived image that is matched to the expected product ofphotofinishing the archival image is also referred to herein as a“verification image”. More than one derived image can be made from asingle original electronic image. A derived image that differs from theverification image in a predetermined manner, unrelated to expectedphotofinishing, is referred to herein as an “evaluation image”.Modifications matched to expected photofinishing or other downstreamuse, may or may not also be present in an evaluation image. The term“initial electronic image” is used herein to refer to either an originalelectronic image or a derived image that retains the same image contentas the original electronic image. The initial electronic image may be aderived image that has been subjected to image improvements, such asanti-aliasing, color correction and the like, that increase objectiveand subjective matching to the scene photographed.

The camera can be limited to a mode in which a film image and acorresponding electronic image are captured at every capture event. Itis preferred that the camera is selectively switchable by the user,between two modes: a film and electronic capture mode and anelectronic-only capture mode. The camera can alternatively provide threemodes: a film and electronic capture mode, an electronic-only capturemode, and a film only capture mode in which no electronic image iscaptured. This approach is not preferred, because this mode lacks thebenefit of reviewing a verification image after scene capture.

A control system 34 that includes a controller 36 (also referred toherein as a microcomputer) and can also include a digital signalprocessor 38, controls other components of the camera 10 and performsprocessing related to the derived image.

The camera body 24 provides structural support and protection for thecapture units 14,16 and other components. The body 24 of the camera 10can be varied to meet requirements of a particular use and styleconsiderations. It is convenient, if the body 24 has front and rearcovers 40,42 joined together over a chassis 44. Many of the componentsof the camera 10 can be mounted to the chassis 44.

A film door 46 and a flip-up electronic flash unit 48 are pivotablyjoined to the covers 40,42 and chassis 44. The flash unit 48 is flippedup from partially covering the front cover 40 to uncover the taking lens50, preparatory to using the camera 10. Flipping up the flash unit 48closes a normally open main power switch 51 to electrically power on thecamera 10. The type of main power switch 51 used and its manner ofoperation can be varied as desired. A power supply 53 accessed throughthe main power switch 51 is ordinarily one or more batteries.

The film image capture unit 14 has a film holder 52 that holds a filmunit 18 during use within a light-tight film space 49. In the camera 10of FIGS. 3–4, the film holder 52 is part of the chassis 44. Theconfiguration of the film holder 52 is a function of the type of filmunit 18 used and is not otherwise significant.

The film holder 52 includes a pair of film chambers 54,56 and arearwardly opening exposure frame 58 between the film chambers 54,56.The film unit 18 has a canister 22 b disposed in one of the chambers54,56. A filmstrip 20 a is wound around a spool 22 a held by thecanister 22 b. During use, the filmstrip 20 a extends across theexposure frame 58 and is wound into a film roll 60 in the other chamber56. The exposure frame 58 has an opening 62 through which a light imageexposes a frame 28 of the film at each picture-taking event.

During use, the filmstrip 20 a is moved by a film transport 64 out ofthe canister 22 b of the film unit, is wound into a film roll 60 in thesupply chamber 56, and is then returned to the canister 22 b. The filmtransport 64, as illustrated, includes an electric motor 66 locatedwithin a film roll spool 68, but other types of motorized transportmechanisms and manual transports can also be used. Filmstrip exposurecan be on film advance or on rewind.

The camera 10 shown in FIGS. 3–4 is reloadable and has motorized filmtransport. The camera 10 uses an Advanced Photo System (“APS”) filmcartridge. Other types of one or two chamber film cartridge and rollfilm can also be used. It is currently preferred that the camera 10 isreloadable. The camera 10 can have an IX-DX code reader (not separatelyillustrated) to determine the film type and number of film frames. TheAPS filmstrip 20 a is normally housed in an opaque film cartridge and istypically available in 15-exposure, 25-exposure, and 40-exposurelengths.

The APS filmstrip 20 a has a transparent magnetic overlay (notillustrated) which gives it a magnetic recording capacity to storevarious metadata such as number of prints ordered and print aspectratio, along a magnetic information track adjacent each exposed filmframe 28. The camera 10 has a data recorder 70 positioned adjoining thefilmstrip 20 a to record the metadata. FIGS. 3–4 illustrate an APScamera 10 with a data recorder 70 in the form of a magnetic head mountedwithin an opening in a film pressure platen 72 for magneticallyrecording the metadata along the magnetic information track adjacenteach one of the exposed film frames 28, when the exposed film length isadvanced out of the film cartridge. The film pressure platen 72 servesto support each film frame 28 flat for exposure at the exposure frame58.

Metadata, including user-selected information, can differ fromframe-to-frame. With an APS film unit, the information recordedincludes: an optional print title in English or other language; anoptional print exposure correction (increase/decrease); a designation ofa print format selected from “C” (classic), “H” (HDTV) and “P”(panoramic); and a print quantity number. A print having a “C” format istypically 4 (height)×6 (width) inches. A print having a “H” format istypically 4 (height)×7 (width) inches. A print having a “P” format istypically 4 (height)×10 (width) inches or 4 (height)×11.5 9 (width)inches. No matter which one(s) of the print formats is (are) selected,“C”, and/or “H” and/or “P”, the exposed frames on the filmstrip 14 arealways in the “H” format. As is known, this allows reprints to be madein any of the three formats rather than just in the selected format. Thephotographer can select desired characteristics, including whether toprint an image in a “C”, “H”, or “P” print format and the number ofprints.

The camera has generally been described in relation to the types ofmetadata available with APS film. The camera is not limited to suchimage metadata. Other metadata can also be used, with the understandingthat the photofinishing infrastructure must also be provided to allowrealization of desired effects. It is preferred, in all cases, that theuser be able to view on the image display the expected results uponphotofinishing.

The cameras 10 herein are not limited to APS film units nor to recordingmetadata on a magnetic layer. Optical recording of metadata by camerasis well known in the art, as are other means of storing such informationsuch as use of memory media attached to a film canister. Informationincluding the kinds of metadata provided by APS cameras and films, canbe written, or read, or both by any means well known to those of skillin the art. Editing parameters in the form of image metadata can beprovided as part of the image file of an electronic archival image. Themetadata is then used in photofinishing or production of other outputusing the image file. In another alternative embodiment, the archivalimage is electronic and is modified in accordance with the indicatedparameters. As elsewhere indicated, discussion here is generallydirected to embodiments in which archival images are captured onphotographic film. Like considerations apply to other embodiments.

Frames 28 of the filmstrip 20 a are temporarily positioned, one at atime, in the exposure frame 58, for archival image exposure. The filmroll spool 68 is incrementally rotated following each film frameexposure, to wind the most-recently exposed one of the film frames 28onto an exposed film roll 60 on the spool 68 and to position a freshunexposed film frame 28 at the exposure frame 58. When the film rollspool 68 is incrementally rotated by the film transport 64, thefilmstrip 20 a is advanced forward one frame increment (which isslightly greater than a frame width) from the film cartridge. Filmtransport is controlled by the controller 36. When substantially theentire length of the filmstrip 20 a is exposed, i.e. the total number ofavailable frames 28 are exposed, a spindle (not shown) which projectsinto a cavity in a top end of a film spool 22 a inside the filmcartridge is continuously rotated by the film drive 64 using a suitablegear train (not shown) to rewind the exposed film length rearward intothe film cartridge.

To magnetically record metadata on the filmstrip 20 a, the magnetictrack or tracks on the filmstrip 20 a are moved past the data recorder70 (also referred to herein as a “film writer”) at an appropriate speedwhile a field is generated in a recording head (not shown) of therecorder 70. The recording can be done stepwise, moving the filmstrip 20a in increments for each film frame 28 or the data can be stored inmemory in the camera 10 until all film exposures are completed, then allthe data can be recorded in a single continuous pass. When all filmexposures are completed, metadata has been recorded, and the filmstrip20 a is light-tightly closed in the film canister 22 b, the film unit 18can be removed from the camera 10 by opening the film door 46.

The electronic image capture unit 16 has an electronic array imager 30driven by an imager driver 74. The electronic array imager 30 isconfigured so as to capture, for each picture-taking event, one or moreelectronic images that correspond to a latent image concurrentlycaptured on the filmstrip 20 a. The type of imager 30 used may vary, butit is highly preferred that the imager 30 be one of the severalsolid-state imagers available.

One highly popular type of solid-state imager commonly used is thecharge coupled device (“CCD”). Of the several CCD types available, twoallow easy electronic shuttering and thereby are preferable in this use.The first of these, the frame transfer CCD, allows charge generation dueto photoactivity and then shifts all of the image charge into a lightshielded, non-photosensitive area. This area is then clocked out toprovide a sampled electronic image. The second type, the interlinetransfer CCD, also performs shuttering by shifting the charge, butshifts charge to an area above or below each image line so that thereare as many storage areas as there are imaging lines. The storage linesare then shifted out in an appropriate manner. Each of these CCD imagershas both advantages and disadvantages, but all will work in thisapplication. A typical CCD has separate components that act as clockdrivers, analog signal processor-analog/digital converter (also referredto as “A/D converter 114”).

It is also possible to use an electronic image sensor manufactured withCMOS technology. This type of imager is attractive for use, since it ismanufactured easily in a readily available solid-state process and lendsitself to use with a single power supply. In addition, the processallows peripheral circuitry to be integrated onto the same semiconductordie. For example, a CMOS sensor can include clock drivers, the A/Dconverter 114, and other components integrated on a single IC. A thirdtype of sensor that can be used is a charge injection device (CID). Thissensor differs from the others mentioned in that the charge is notshifted out of the device to be read. Reading is accomplished byshifting charge within the pixel. This allows a nondestructive read ofany pixel in the array. If the device is externally shuttered, the arraycan be read repeatedly without destroying the image. Shuttering can beaccomplished by external shutter or, without an external shutter, byinjecting the charge into the substrate for recombination.

The electronic image capture unit 16 captures a three-color image. It ishighly preferred that a single imager be used along with a three-coloror four-color filter, however, multiple monochromatic imagers andfilters can be used. Suitable three-color filters are well known tothose of skill in the art, and are normally incorporated with the imagerto provide an integral component. For convenience, the camera 10 isgenerally discussed herein in relation to embodiments having a singleimager 30 with a three color filter (not separately illustrated). Itwill be understood that like considerations apply to cameras using morethan three colors as well as cameras using multiple monochromaticimagers.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the camera 10 has an optical system76 of one or more lenses mounted in the body 24. The optical system 76is illustrated by a dashed line and several groups of lens elements. Itwill be understood that this is illustrative, not limiting. The opticalsystem 76 directs light to the exposure frame 58 and to the electronicarray imager 30. The optical system 76 also preferably directs lightthrough an optical viewfinder 78 to the user.

The imager 30 is spaced from the exposure frame 58, thus, the opticalsystem 76 directs light along a first path (indicated by a dotted line80) to the exposure frame 58 and along a second path (indicated by adotted line 82) to the electronic array imager 30. Both paths 80,82converge at a position in front of the camera 10, at the plane of thesubject image. In FIG. 2, the optical system 76 has a combined lens unit84 that includes both an imager lens unit 86 and a viewfinder lens unit88. The combined lens unit 84 has a partially transmissive mirror 90that subdivides the second light path 82 between an imager subpath tothe imager 30 and a viewfinder subpath that is redirected by a fullyreflective mirror 92 and transmitted through an eyepiece to thephotographer.

The optical system 76 can be varied. For example, the viewfinder lensunit 88, imager lens unit 86, and a taking lens unit 50 can be fullyseparate (not shown) or a combined lens unit 84 can include both ataking lens unit 50 and an imager lens unit 86 (not shown). Otheralternative optical systems can also be provided.

In most cameras 10, there is a variation between the field of view ofthe viewfinder 78 and the field of view of the archival image captureunit 14. The scene delineated by the viewfinder 78 is typically 80 to 95percent of the field of view of the archival image capture unit 14. Thedifference ensures that everything the photographer sees will becaptured in the archival image, albeit with some additional imagecontent at the edges. Cameras 10 are generally described and illustratedherein in terms of viewfinders that have a 100 percent match to thefield of view of the archival image capture unit. This is a matter ofconvenience in describing the invention. The viewfinders 78 of thecameras 10 can be limited to 80 to 95 percent of the field of view ofthe archival image capture unit 14 without changing the other featuresdescribed.

Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the taking lens unit50 is a motorized zoom lens in which a mobile element or elements aredriven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by a zoom driver94. The combined lens unit 84 also has a mobile element or elements,driven, relative to a stationary element or elements, by a zoom driver94. The different zoom drivers 94 are coupled so as to zoom together,either mechanically (not shown) or by a control system 34 signaling thezoom drivers 94 to move the zoom elements of the units over the same orcomparable ranges of focal lengths at the same time.

The control system 34, which includes a controller 36, can take the formof an appropriately configured microcomputer, such as an embeddedmicroprocessor having RAM or other memory for data manipulation andgeneral program execution.

The taking lens unit 50 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is alsoautofocusing. An autofocusing system has a rangefinder 96 that includesa sensor 98. The rangefinder 96 operates a focus driver 100, directly orthrough the control system 34, to move one or more focusable elements(not separately illustrated) of the taking lens unit 50. The rangefinder96 can be passive or active or a combination of the two.

The taking lens unit 50 can be simple, such as having a single focallength and manual focusing or a fixed focus, but this is not preferred.One or both of the viewfinder lens unit 88 and imager lens unit 86 canhave a fixed focal length or one or both can zoom between differentfocal lengths. Digital zooming (enlargement of a digital imageequivalent to optical zooming) can also be used instead of or incombination with optical zooming for the imager 30. The imager 30 andimage display 32 can be used as a viewfinder 78 prior to image capturein place of or in combination with the optical viewfinder 78, as iscommonly done with digital still cameras 10. This approach is notcurrently preferred, since battery usage is greatly increased.

Although the camera 10 can be used in other manners, the archival imageis intended to provide the basis of the photofinished or other finalimage desired by the user. The derived images thus do not have to havethe same quality as the archival image. As a result, the imager 30 andthe portion of the optical system 76 directing light to the imager 30can be made smaller, simpler, and lighter. For example, the taking lensunit can be focusable and the imager lens unit 86 can have a fixed focusor can focus over a different range or between a smaller number of focuspositions.

A film shutter 102 shutters the light path to the exposure frame 58. Animager shutter 104 shutters the light path to the imager 30.Diaphragms/aperture plates 106 operated by aperture drivers 107, canalso be provided in both of the paths 80,82. Each of the shutters102,104 is switchable between an open state and a closed state. The term“shutter” is used in a broad sense to refer to physical and/or logicalelements that provide the function of allowing the passage of lightalong a light path to a filmstrip 20 a or imager 30 for image captureand disallowing that passage at other times. “Shutter” is thus inclusiveof, but not limited to, mechanical and electromechanical shutters of alltypes. “Shutter” is not inclusive of film transports and like mechanismsthat simply move film or an imager 30 in and out of the light path.“Shutter” is inclusive of computer software and hardware features ofelectronic array imagers that allow an imaging operation to be startedand stopped under control of the camera controller 36.

In currently preferred embodiments, the film shutter 102 is mechanicalor electromechanical and the imager shutter 104 is mechanical orelectronic. The imager shutter 104 is illustrated by dashed lines toindicate both the position of a mechanical imager shutter and thefunction of an electronic shutter. When using a CCD, electronicshuttering of the imager 30 can be provided by shifting the accumulatedcharge under a light shielded register provided at a non-photosensitiveregion. This may be a full frame as in a frame transfer device CCD or ahorizontal line in an interline transfer device CCD. Suitable devicesand procedures are well known to those of skill in the art. When using aCID, the charge on each pixel is injected into a substrate at thebeginning of the exposure. At the end of the exposure, the charge ineach pixel is read. The difficulty encountered here is that the firstpixel read has less exposure time than the last pixel read. The amountof difference is the time required to read the entire array. This may ormay not be significant depending upon the total exposure time and themaximum time needed to read the entire array.

CMOS imagers are commonly shuttered by a method called a rollingshutter. CMOS imagers using this method are not preferred, since thisshutters each individual line to a common shutter time, but the exposuretime for each line begins sequentially. This means that even with ashort exposure time, moving objects will be distorted. Given horizontalmotion, vertical features will image diagonally due to the temporaldifferences in the line-by-line exposure. Another method for shutteringCMOS imagers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,297. In this method,called single frame capture mode, all pixels are allowed to integratecharge during the exposure time. At the end of the exposure time, allpixels are simultaneously transferred to the floating diffusion of thedevice. At this point, sequential read out by lines is possible.

An image display 32 is mounted on the outside of the body 24 and,preferably, faces the rear of the camera 10. The image display 32 isdriven by an image display driver 108 and can be turned on to display averification image to preview what a print or other final image isexpected to look like. The image display 32 can be automatically turnedoff by a timer for battery conservation. Signal lines 110 electronicallyconnect the imager 30 through the control system 34 to the image display32. The image display 32 produces a light image (also referred to hereas a “display image”) that is viewed by the user.

The control system 34, as earlier discussed, includes the controller 36and memory 112 and also includes an analog-digital converter 114 (alsoreferred to herein as a “A/D converter 114”) (this term is inclusive ofcomponents that also include an analog signal processor and amplifier)and the image processor 38. Other components can also be provided, asdiscussed below, in detail. Suitable components for the control system34 are known to those of skill in the art. Modifications of the controlsystem 34 are practical, such as those described elsewhere herein. Thecontroller 36 can be provided as a single component, such as amicrocomputer or microprocessor, or as multiple components of equivalentfunction in distributed locations. The same considerations apply to theprocessor and other components. Likewise, components illustrated asseparate units herein may be conveniently combined or shared in someembodiments. Hardware and software provided by the controller or controlsystem that controls reading from and writing to memory is also referredto herein as a “memory writer”.

The captured analog electronic image is amplified and converted by theA/D converter 114 to a digital electronic image, which is then processedin the image processor 38 and stored in the memory 112.

“Memory” refers to one or more suitably sized logical units of physicalmemory provided in semiconductor memory or magnetic memory, or the like.For example, the memory can be an internal memory, such as a Flash EPROMmemory, or alternately a removable memory, such as a CompactFlash card,or a combination of both. “Memory 112”, as used herein, is separate fromthe “film unit 18”. Thus, in some embodiments, the camera has bothmemory 112 and a digital film unit 18.

It is currently preferred that the signal lines 110 act as a data busconnecting the imager 30, controller 36, processor 38, the image display32, and other electronic components.

The controller 36 and image processor 38 can be controlled by softwarestored in the same physical memory 112 that is used for image storage,but it is preferred that the processor 38 and controller 36 arecontrolled by firmware stored in dedicated memory (not separatelyillustrated), for example, in a ROM or EPROM firmware memory. Separatededicated units of memory can also be provided to support otherfunctions.

The respective electronic images correspond to the latent images on theexposed film frames 28, and, after processing, are individually storedin memory 112, each time the filmstrip 20 a is advanced forward oneframe increment following a film exposure. The memory 112 has asuccessive-image storage capacity for a limited number of electronicimages. For convenience, the electronic images stored in a single camera10 are generally treated herein as all being of the same size or aboutthe same size. This is the case in currently preferred embodiments; butis not limiting.

Electronic images can be stored in memory as image files. The terms“image file”, “memory file”, and “file”, as used herein, refer to alogical portion of memory that holds information, such as image data orimage data and metadata, and is handled within memory as a single unit.For example, a file can be erased as a whole, but cannot be partiallyerased. “Files” in personal computer and the like function in the samemanner and other features of such systems are also comparable. Forexample, in personal computers having a Microsoft Windows 98 or WindowsNT operating system, memory files are erased by changing the filename ofthe file in a file allocation table to the memory. The change in thefilename, by replacing a first character of the filename with a specialdesignation, moves the physical memory associated with the file to aFIFO overwriting queue. The file is overwritten in due course. Before itis overwritten, the erasing of the file is reversible by reassignment ofa complete filename to the file. The overwriting results in replacementof all or part of the information within what had been the file withother information and, absent extraordinary measures, the earlierinformation is irretrievable. Image files discussed herein have thecharacteristics of one of the various types of files used for a similarpurpose in memories of personal computers and other larger computers. Anexample of such a file is shown in FIG. 21. The file shown has a headerand the data for a particular image. The file can be defined by fixedunit of physical or logical space within memory or can be defined by afile allocation table or the like.

The capacity of the memory can be defined artificially as a fraction ofthe total memory of the camera. This approach may be needed for memory112 that is shared with other components. The capacity of the memory 112is divisible, for purposes of analysis into unit spaces or subdivisionsof the memory that can each hold a single electronic image captured bythe camera. This analysis provides an integer value, in electronic imagespaces, of the capacity. If all electronic images captured by the cameraare of the same size, either initially or after a standardizedcompression procedure, then the capacity of the memory is simply amatter of dividing the physical capacity of the memory by the unit sizeof the electronic images. This calculation can be done ahead or providedas needed by the controller.

If electronic images stored by the camera are not necessarily of thesame size, either due to differences in the effect of compression or forother reasons, then the camera can still make the same calculation; butthe calculation must be based upon a nominal size electronic image. Tosave processing, it is preferred that this nominal size electronic imagebe predefined rather than being estimated on the basis of earliercaptured images. Any portion of memory attributable to the remainder ofthe analytical division used to determine the integer capacity, canprovide a small reserve to accommodate one or more stored images ofslightly excessive size. If wide variation in stored image sizes orother increase memory demand is expected, then the reserve can beincreased in size by decreasing the capacity by one or more units.

The capacity of the memory can be set to an integer number of electronicimage units that represent an arbitrary fraction of the total memory ofthe camera. This can be done by the controller and is useful, forexample, if the physical memory 112 is removable and replaceable byanother memory component of different capacity. (The memory 112 and thedigital film unit 18 can share the same component; but are distinguishedon the basis of the nature of the images stored and the use to whichthose images are put. The use of a removable component for memory 112adds unnecessary complexity and for that reason is not preferred.)

It is preferred that the capacity of the memory is sufficient to hold anelectronic image corresponding to each latent image on an expected filmunit. For APS film, expected film units have 15, 25, or 40 film framesand the preferred memory capacity is sufficient to hold more than 40electronic images. An excess of capacity beyond that needed to holdelectronic images corresponding to the highest expected number of filmimages is even more preferred, since this allows the storage ofelectronic images for an entire film unit plus some number ofelectronic-only images.

The embodiment shown in the figures has space for storing up to 50captured electronic images. This number exceeds the maximum number oflatent images on currently available APS film units, which is 40. When alatent image is exposed, the filmstrip 20 a is advanced a frameincrement. This is detected by one or more sensors 116 which signal thecontroller. In response, the controller 36 decrements a frame count (thenumber of film frames 28 available on the filmstrip 20 a that remain tobe exposed) stored in memory 112 by one. The frame count can go forwardfrom zero or backward from 15, 25, or 40 depending on whether thefilmstrip 20 a has a 15-exposure, 25-exposure, or 40-exposure length.The current frame count is shown in an information display 118. In thecamera shown in FIGS. 3–4, a pair of identical film perforation sensors116 for sensing successive pairs of film perforations 120 in thefilmstrip 20 a are mounted in respective pockets in the film pressureplaten 72 and are connected to the controller.

The manner in which electronic images are stored in memory 112 is notcritical. For convenience, the storing of electronic images is discussedherein in terms of allocated separate single-image addresses or blocks“1” to “50” in the memory 112. Consistent with the frame count,respective frame numbers for the captured electronic images are storedat the single-image addresses “ 1” to “50” in the memory 112. Therespective electronic images stored in the memory 112 at thesingle-image addresses can be accessed separately and shown individuallyon the image display 32.

In preferred embodiments, image metadata, including such information asthe selected print title, print exposure correction, print format andprint quantity for every one of the exposed film frames is stored inmemory 112. This storage in memory can take the place of recording theimage metadata in the film unit, until all the film frames have beenexposed or can be in addition to intermittent recording in the filmunits during exposure of the film frames. In either case, the provisionof the image metadata in memory 112 allows quick access to theinformation. This is particularly advantageous with APS type film unitsthat record image metadata in a magnetic layer of the filmstrip, sincethe filmstrip must otherwise be transported past the reader-writer toaccess such magnetically recorded information. This is slow andincreases energy consumption by the camera.

The image metadata is recorded in memory as corresponding designationsor assignments for the respective film frames and in association withthe captured electronic images stored in the memory. In practice, imagemetadata for the most-recently exposed one of the film frames is storedin the memory, along with the corresponding electronic image each timethe filmstrip is advanced one frame increment following a film exposure.

The camera 10 has a communications port 124, through which theelectronic images stored in memory 112 can be downloaded under thecontrol of the controller 36 to a image manipulation device 126(illustrated as a computer, and only in FIG. 1) such as a computer ornetwork or digital appliance, using a communications protocol, such asthe USB protocol. The image manipulation device includes a computermonitor that allows the downloaded images to be visualized and alsoincludes software and hardware necessary to manipulate the downloadedimages in some manner, such as digital editing, or printing, orphotofinishing or the like.

The camera 10 can optionally provide for downloading of individualelectronic images; however, it is currently preferred that all images inmemory be downloaded at each download event. The reason this approach ispreferred, is that, in preferred embodiments, the size of the electronicimages is relatively small and download times are relatively quick; and,with this in mind, it is better for the user to download all images,then discard any that are not desired, rather than present the risk thatwanted images will not be downloaded or increase the time necessary todownload images by increasing the number of steps required.

The controller 36 facilitates the transfers of the image, along thesignal lines 110, between the electronic components and provides othercontrol functions, as necessary. The controller 36 includes a timinggeneration circuit that produces control signals for all electroniccomponents in timing relationship.

Calibration values for the individual camera 10 are stored in acalibration memory (not separately illustrated), such as an EEPROM, andsupplied to the controller 36. The controller 36 operates the memory 112or memories and the drivers including the zoom drivers 94, focus driver100, imager driver 74, that mediates flash functions.

It will be understood that the circuits shown and described can bemodified in a variety of ways well known to those of skill in the art.It will also be understood that the various features described hereinterms of physical circuits can be alternatively provided as firmware orsoftware functions or a combination of the two. The controller 36 isillustrated as a single component, but it will be understood that thisis a matter of convenience in illustration. The controller 36 can beprovided as multiple components of equivalent function in distributedlocations. The same considerations apply to the processor 38 and othercomponents. Likewise, components illustrated as separate units hereinmay be conveniently combined or shared in some embodiments.

The digital electronic image stored in memory 112, is accessed by theprocessor 38 and is modified so as to provide a required derived image.As a part of showing a derived image on the image display 32, the camera10 may modify the derived image for calibration to the characteristicsof the particular display. For example, a transform can be provided thatmodifies each image to accommodate the different capabilities in termsof gray scale, color gamut, and white point of the display and theimager and other components of the electronic capture unit. It ispreferred that the display is selected so as to permit the entireverification image to be shown; however, more limited displays can beused. In the latter case, the displaying of the verification imageincludes calibration that cuts out part of the image, or contrastlevels, or some other part of the information in the verification image.

The derived images can also be modified in the same manner that imagesare enhanced in filly digital cameras. For example, processing canprovide interpolation and edge enhancement. A limitation here is thatthe derived images are intended to correspond to photofinished archivalimages and, thus, enhancements should be limited so as to not render thederived image dissimilar to the corresponding photofinished archivalimage. If the archival image is an electronic image, then comparableenhancements can be provided for both verification and archival images.Digital processing of an electronic archival image can also includemodifications related to file transfer, such as, JPEG compression, andfile formatting.

Enhancements can be provided to match the calibrated derived image tooutput characteristics of a selected photofinishing channel.Photofinishing related adjustments assume foreknowledge of thephotofinishing procedures that will be followed for a particular unit ofcapture media. This foreknowledge can be made available by limitingphotofinishing options for a particular capture media unit or bystandardizing all available photofinishing or by requiring the user toselect a photofinishing choice, for example by entering a character on acontrol pad or setting a switch. This designation can then direct theusage of particular photofinishing options and can provide for a director indirect indication of the effect in a derived image. The applicationof a designation on a capture media unit could be provided by a numberof means known to those in the art, such as application of a magnetic oroptical code.

Derived images can be prepared from the electronic image before beingneeded or as needed, as desired, subject to the limitations ofprocessing speed and available memory. To minimize the size of thememory 112, an electronic image can be processed and stored as a lowerresolution image, before a succeeding image is read out from the imager30.

Different types of image display 32 can be used. For example, the imagedisplay 32 can be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a cathode ray tubedisplay, or an organic electroluminescent display (“OELD”; also referredto as an organic light emitting display, “OLED”).

The image display 32 is preferably mounted on the back or top of thebody 24, so as to be readily viewable by the photographer immediatelyfollowing a picture taking. One or more information displays 118 can beprovided on the body 24, to present camera information to thephotographer, such as exposures remaining, battery state, and flashstate.

For convenience, the information display 118 is generally discussed herein the singular. The information display 118 and image display 32 can beprovided by separate display devices or both can be provided bycontiguous parts of a common display device. The information display 118can be deleted if information is instead provided on the image display32 as a superimposition on the image or alternately instead of the image(not illustrated). If separate, the information display 118 is operatedby an information display driver 138.

Information can be provided on one or both of the image and informationdisplays 32,118. It is preferred, that information relating to imagecapture be shown on the information display only, so that the imagedisplay 32 can be turned off during the process of image capture. Withcurrently available displays, this results in considerable energysavings.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3–4, the image display 32 is mounted tothe back of the body 24 and the information display 118 is mounted tothe body 24 adjacent to the image display 32 such that the two displays32,118 form part of a single user interface 140 that can be viewed bythe photographer in a single glance. The image display 32 and aninformation display 118 can be mounted instead or additionally so as tobe viewable through the viewfinder 78 as a virtual display (not shown).

It is preferred that the image display 32 is operated on demand byactuation of a switch (not separately illustrated) and that the imagedisplay 32 is turned off by a timer or by initial depression of theshutter release 26. The timer can be provided as a function of thecontroller 36. When the image display 32 is activated, earlier capturedimages can be reviewed using the appropriate user control 144.

Image metadata is made available to the user while respective images areshown on the image display. The image metadata can be shown on the imagedisplay or information display or on both, in some combination. As withother information discussed herein, the image metadata can be presentedin alphanumeric form or as icons.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3–4, the user interface 140 of thecamera 10 includes the shutter release 26, the “zoom in/out” toggle 142that controls the zooming of the lens units, and other user controls 144along with the image display 32 and the information display 118. Theshutter release 26 operates both shutters 102,104. To take a picture,the shutter release 26 is actuated by the user and trips from a setstate to an intermediate state, and then to a released state. Theshutter release 26 is typically actuated by pushing, and, forconvenience the shutter release 26 is generally described herein inrelation to a shutter button that is initially depressed through a“first stroke”, to actuate a first switch S1 and alter the shutterrelease 26 from the set state to the intermediate state and is furtherdepressed through a “second stroke”, to actuate a second switch S2 andalter the shutter release 26 from the intermediate state to the releasedstate. Like other two stroke shutter releases well known in the art, thefirst stroke actuates exposure-delimiting camera components, such asautofocus, autoexposure, and flash unit readying; and the second strokeactuates capture of the archival image.

Referring now to FIG. 2, when the shutter release 26 is pressed to thefirst stroke, the taking lens unit 50 and combined lens unit 84 are eachautofocused to a detected subject distance based on subject distancedata sent by the rangefinder 96 to the controller 36. The controller 36also receives data indicating what focal length the lens units 50,84 areset at from one or both of the zoom drivers or a zoom sensor (notshown). The camera 10 also detects the film speed of the film cartridge18 a loaded into the camera 10 using the IX reader and relays thisinformation to the controller 36. The camera 10 obtains scene brightness(By) from components, discussed below, that function as a light meter.The scene brightness and other exposure parameters are provided to analgorithm in the controller 36, which determines a focused distance,shutter speeds, apertures, and optionally a gain setting foramplification of the analog signal provided by the imager 30.Appropriate signals for these values are sent to the drivers via a motordriver interface (not shown) of the controller 36. The gain setting issent to the A/D converter 114.

The camera 10 assesses ambient lighting using the imager 30 or aseparate detector 146 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2) or both. Thedetector 146 has an ambient detector driver 148 that operates a singlesensor or multiple sensors (not shown). In some embodiments, theevaluation image capture unit 16 is used to assess ambient lighting. Inthose embodiments, one or more electronic images are captured prior tocapture of the archival image. The captured electronic image data fromone or more of these preliminary images is sampled and scene parameters,such as automatic setting of shutter speeds and diaphragm settings, aredetermined from that data. These preliminary electronic images can becaptured in a continuing sequence as long as the capture system is in apreliminary mode. For example, preliminary images can be capturedseratim, as long as the shutter release 26 is actuated through the firststroke and is maintained in that position. This capture of preliminaryimages ends when the shutter release 26 is returned to a stand-byposition or is actuated through the second stroke for archival imagecapture. The preliminary electronic images could be saved to memory 112;but, except as otherwise described here, are ordinarily discarded, oneafter another, when the replacement electronic image is captured toreduce memory usage. The preliminary images can also be provided to theimage display 32 for use by the photographer, prior to picture taking,in composing the picture. This use of the image display 32 as anelectronic viewfinder 78 greatly increases energy usage and is notpreferred for that reason.

The electronic capture unit is calibrated during assembly, to providemeasures of illumination, using known values. For example, thecontroller 36 can process the data presented in a preliminary imageusing the same kinds of light metering algorithms as are used formultiple spot light meters. The procedure is repeated for eachsucceeding preliminary image. Individual pixels or groups of pixels takethe place of the individual sensors used in the multiple spot lightmeters. For example, the controller 36 can determine a peak illuminationintensity for the image by comparing pixel to pixel until a maximum isfound. Similarly, the controller 36 can determine an overall intensitythat is an arithmetic average of all of the pixels of the image. Many ofthe metering algorithms provide an average or integrated value over onlya selected area of the imager array 30, such as an upper middle region.Another approach is to evaluate multiple areas and weigh the areasdifferently to provide an overall value. For example, in acenter-weighted system, center pixels are weighted more than peripheralpixels. The camera 10 can provide manual switching between differentapproaches, such as center weighted and spot metering. The camera 10can, alternatively, automatically choose a metering approach based on anevaluation of scene content. For example, an image having a broadhorizontal bright area at the top can be interpreted as sky and given aparticular weight relative to the remainder of the image.

Under moderate lighting conditions the imager 30 can provide lightmetering and color balance determination from a single preliminaryimage. More extreme lighting conditions can be accommodated by use ofmore than one member of the series of preliminary electronic imageswhile varying exposure parameters until an acceptable electronic imagehas been captured. The manner in which the parameters are varied is notcritical.

After the controller 36 receives the scene brightness value, thecontroller 36 compares scene brightness to a flash trip point. If thelight level is lower than the flash trip point, then the controller 36enables full illumination by the flash unit 48, unless the user manuallyturned the flash off. Appropriate algorithms and features for theseapproaches are well known to those of skill in the art.

A second switch S2 actuates when the shutter release 26 is furtherpushed to a second stroke. When the second switch S2 actuates, the filmshutter 102 is tripped and the capture of the latent image exposure onthe film frame 28 begins. The film shutter 102 momentarily opens for aduration referred to herein as a “archival image exposure timeinterval”. The imager shutter 104 is also actuated and momentarily opensduring the archival image exposure time interval to capture the initialelectronic image.

When a film unit 18 is to be removed from the camera 10, the film door46 is opened and the film unit 18 is extracted. The camera 10 has a filmunit detector or signaler 150, which switches between a film present orloaded state and a film absent or unloaded state. The different statescorrelate with the load status of the film holder. The film unitdetector 150 can be configured to also act as the IX reader, earlierdiscussed.

The signaler 150 send signals to the controller, which keep thecontroller current as to the film holder load status. The film removalsignal can be provided in response to any of the events that occur afterall the frames have been exposed on a film unit and the film unit isunloaded from the camera. For example, the film removal signal can beprovided upon automatic rewinding following last exposure or uponopening of the film door. In a particular embodiment, the film removalsignal is responsive to a combination of the film door opening and, insequence, the detection of the film unit in the film space followed bynondetection of the film unit. The film unit detector 150 can also senda film loading signal to the controller 36 when a film unit 18 isloaded, in the same manner. For example, the film loading signal can besent when a film unit 18 has been placed in the film space and the filmdoor 46 has been closed. In response to the film removal and filmloading signals, the controller 36 can cause the information display 118to show icons or other indicia (not illustrated) that indicate whetheror not a film unit 18 is loaded and the film door is shut.

A wide variety of film unit detectors 150 are known in the art. Thesimplest is a switch (not shown) having a throw that is tripped byphysical interference with the film unit when the film unit is loadedinto the camera. Another example is an optical detector that is actuatedby the presence or absence of a reflected beam from the film unit. Thesignaler 150 can be a single component or, alternatively, can include afilm unit presence sensor and a separate film door sensor (not shown),to provide separate indications of film unit presence and film doorstate. The manner of operation of the sensor or sensors of the signaleris not critical. For example, a sensor can be a mechanical switch havinga contact arm biased against the film unit. When the film unit isremoved, the contact arm moves into the emptied space and changes astate of the switch. Likewise, a sensor can be an infraredlight-emitting diode-light detector pair positioned such that a signalis interrupted by the film unit.

The image display 32 can be used to verify the quality of a justcaptured image and can also be used to review earlier captured images.While reviewing an electronic image, the user can edit one or morefeatures of a final image that will be produced by photofinishing. Thisis done by changing one or more editing parameters that are recorded onthe film units and in memory as metadata. The user can also review othermetadata that is not editable, such as date and time of image capture.

It is preferred that the camera memory 112 has sufficient capacity tostore an electronic image corresponding to each of the film frames 28 ofthe film unit 18, since this allows the user to review all of the imagesof a film unit 18 at one time. Since the film units 18 come in differentcapacities, the memory 112 needs sufficient capacity to store anelectronic image corresponding to each of the film frames 28 of a filmunit 18 having the largest capacity. This provides excess capacity inmemory 112 when smaller capacity film units 18 are used. It is preferredthat the memory 112 of the camera 10 has sufficient capacity to providesome excess over even the largest capacity film unit 18.

The excess memory capacity can be used to allow the user to reviewelectronic images corresponding to archival images of earlier used filmunits 18. The captured electronic images corresponding to the latentimages in the film units 18 are not erased from memory 112 when therespective film unit 18 is removed from the camera 10; instead, once thememory 112 is full, the oldest captured electronic image is overwrittenby the newest captured electronic image. (If necessary, two oldelectronic images may be deleted if required to free enough memory 112to store one new image). The order in which the images are replaced, ina first in-first-out queue, corresponds to many practices in inventorycontrol and the like and is also referred to herein by the term “FIFO”.The hardware and software of the controller or control system thatcontrols the FIFO queue is also referred to herein as the “assignmentunit”.

Since the memory 112 is large enough to hold electronic images from morethan one roll of film, the memory 112 therefore holds at least two typesof electronic images: current electronic images corresponding to thelatent images on the exposed frames 28 of the film unit 18 currentlyloaded in the camera 10, and electronic images corresponding to thelatent images on the exposed frames 28 of one or more film units 18earlier exposed in the camera 10. By storing both current images andpast images, the user can view or download a last series of electronicimages, within the limits of storage capacity, even if they removed afirst film unit and started a second film unit. The memory 112 can alsostore electronic-only images which have no corresponding latent image.

User controls 144 are provided for reviewing, editing and otherfunctions. The controller can provide a changeable set of user controlsby redefining buttons or the like and providing explanatory indicia onone or both displays. Access to the different control sets describedherein can be provided automatically as needed, or can be cycled throughas applicable, by actuating a designated control feature, such as theEdit button or a combination of buttons.

Some features of final images produced from the archival images can bemodified while the verification images are viewed. User controls areprovided to allow for modification of the image metadata associated withthe electronic image displayed on the image display and thecorresponding film image. The user controls signal to the controlleruser choices of metadata for a particular image. Other featuresdetermine non-user selectable metadata. For example, date and time areprovided by a clock. Like the clock, the hardware and software thatresponsively generates the metadata can be provided as a part of thecontroller or by multiple components of the control system. Thishardware and software is also referred to herein by the term“designator”.

It is preferred, that the image display show the electronic image inmodified form when a change is made in the corresponding image metadata.For example, if the user changes the print format metadata for aparticular electronic image-film image pair from “H” to “P”; it ispreferred that the displayed image be changed by cropping to show onlythe portions which will be presented in the printed final image in the“P” print format. The controller can provide these functions usingalgorithms well known to those of skill in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 5–6, editing follows image capture and beginswith the user pressing the verify button 152 of the user interface 140to access a verification image. The verify button 152 acts like anormally open switch connecting the image display 32 to the controller36. Pressing the verify button 152 turns the image display 32 on when itis off and off when it is on. Responsive to activation, the controller36 causes an image to be shown on the display 32. The controller alsodisables image capture while the image display 32 is activated.

The specific image initially shown is discussed below in detail. Thefollowing discussion is in relation to an embodiment illustrated by FIG.5, in which the image initially shown is the last captured archivalimage. Like considerations apply when a different image is initiallyshown. In FIG. 5, the user can change from the last captured image toearlier captured images by moving an image selector 156. This isillustrated as one or more user controls 144 that are software definedto provide the required function. The information display 118 explainsthe function with appropriate captions 154. The image selector can alsobe provided by a dedicated single-function user control (notillustrated) or can be provided by a software defined user control thatdoes not utilize the information display. An example of the latter isusing the zoom toggle 142 to cycle forward or backward during review ofimages in memory.

The camera 10 is initially in an image capture state and the informationdisplay bears capture related information 160. The examples of thisinformation, shown in FIG. 5, are operational modes for the capturesystem and flash and the number of the next film frame. The imagedisplay 32 is activated by the user pressing (indicated by arrow 162)the verify button 152 and an earlier image is selected by the userpressing a backward direction button 156 a (labelled “Bck”) of the imageselector 156. A forward direction button 156 b (labelled “Fwd”) is alsoprovided, as a part of the image selector 156, when appropriate.

In a particular embodiment of the camera, the controller turns the imagedisplay on automatically (without having to manually depress the verifybutton) when an electronic image corresponding to the last film imageavailable on the filmstrip is captured and, after a short delay turnsthe image display off and automatically starts film rewind. The verifybutton can be disabled during display of the last image, so the user isnot confused as to the cause of the film rewinding. The camera can,alternatively, wait to rewind until the image display is turned offmanually or automatically, following last image capture.

The images shown on the display 32 can sequence through automatically,in the form of a slide show, but this is not preferred for editing. Whatis preferred, is that a separate actuation of the image selector 156 berequired to sequence from one electronic image to the next. FIG. 5illustrates this procedure.

The review of earlier images provided by the camera 10 can be limited tochronological review or can be variable to allow review of all images orsets of images in different orders. The specific sequence followed isnot critical and different sequences can optionally be provided bychanging a sequence control 158 (“Seq” in FIGS. 5–6). It is currentlypreferred that the sequence in which the images are shown ischronological from newest to oldest. Other sequences, such as discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,016, or oldest to newest, or ordering on thebasis of editing parameters and then chronology, can also be used. Forexample, the sequence can be in order of selected print formats andchronologically within each format. Electronic-only images can bedisplayed in sequence with electronic images having corresponding latentimages, or can be displayed in a separate sequence, as desired.

During editing, the display 32 indicates specific changes selected bythe user and can also indicate values 166 for one or more of the variousediting parameters. For example, numbers of prints and format and anyexplanatory captions can be indicated in alphanumeric form on theinformation display, as shown in FIG. 6. It is preferred, that whenpractical, the image display present the selected changes asmodifications of the displayed electronic image rather than simply by adesignation. For example, in FIG. 6, the print format of the image iscropped to indicate a change to “P” from “H” and the print format isalso indicated by an optional textual message. For electronic images notassociated with film loaded in the camera 10, there can be provided anindicia (not shown) on the image display showing that the respectiveimage is not from the current roll and APS photofinishing relatedfeatures, such as print quantity, are no longer subject to change.

Changes shown on the display, can be made on the stored electronic imagein memory, but it is preferred that changes be made on a “cloned image”,that is, a derived copy of the electronic image in memory. This providesbetter protection against user mistakes, since the user can back up tothe image stored in memory without fear of irretrievable damage.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, to edit, the Edit button 168 ispressed (indicated by arrow 170) and a format designator 172 is thenpressed (indicated by arrow 174). A reset button 176 is then pressed(indicated by arrow 178) to go back to the image as it existed beforethe editing session shown in FIG. 6. This approach has additionaladvantages, since multiple cloned images can be generated and discardedas needed or before. This allows the user to rapidly switch back andforth between different editorial changes to see the effects of thosechanges.

When the user is satisfied with one or more editorial changes in theediting parameters, the user permanently records those changes inassociation with the respective archival images. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 6, the user presses (indicated by arrow 180) the Enter button182. This causes film to be rewound and then moved past a data recorder184 (also referred to as a film writer/reader 184), such as a magneticread/write head (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) as required to rewrite themetadata for respective film frames to incorporate changes.Alternatively, the information is stored in memory 112, for laterwriting to the film in a similar manner, before the film unit is removedfrom the camera. A comparable procedure is followed for electronicarchival images.

FIG. 7 illustrates the display of an electronic-only image 186 in acamera 10 that captures electronic-film image pairs. The electronicimage is displayed on the image display 32 and corresponding informationis shown on the information display 118. A message 188, on theinformation display 118, indicates that the image shown is from a priorfilm unit. An image selector 156 and sequence control 158 are providedwhich allow the user to go forward or back through the sequence ofimages in memory. An erase control 190 is provided to erase theelectronic-only image, if desired. In the embodiment shown, the erasecontrol 190 is provided by a software modified user control 144, butother types of user control 144 could be used instead, in the samemanner as earlier discussed.

The sequence, back, and forward user controls 158,156 a,156 b operate inthe same manner as earlier discussed for the electronic imagecorresponding to a film frame of the film unit in the camera. The eraseuser control 190 is only provided for electronic images that do not havea corresponding film frame in a film unit loaded within the camera.Pressing the erase button 190 erases from memory 112 the electronicimage shown on the display 32 and its corresponding metadata. Theerasure can be reversible or irreversible, depending upon the cameraembodiment. Features related to film unit detection, electronic imageerasure, and other handling of electronic images are discussed below, indetail.

Reversible erasure moves the electronic image and metadata to the FIFOoverwriting queue, and, if desired, can advance the particularelectronic image and metadata to the head of that queue. Referring toFIG. 7 b, in a particular embodiment, erasure is reversible. Erased, butnot yet overwritten, electronic images can be viewed by the user. Anerased image 192 is shown with a status indicia 194 (in FIG. 7 b, theword “ERASED”) that informs the user that the electronic image shown hasbeen reversibly erased. The controller 36 can provide a restore control196 to unerase the respective electronic image and metadata while theimage and metadata are not yet overwritten. This feature can be providedfor all images, but it is currently preferred that electronic-only imagebe irreversibly erased so as to not be recoverable by the user.

Revision of Stored Metadata at Film Unit Removal

As earlier discussed, when a user views electronic images correspondingto film images of a film unit that has been removed from the camera, notall editorial functions are available. The controller does not provideor locks out user controls that would otherwise allow the user to changemetadata that relates to photofinishing of the removed film unit,because that information along with the rest of the image metadata hasalready been written to the film unit and the film unit is inaccessibleby the camera. For example, the user cannot change the number of printsordered. This type of metadata that relates only to photofinishing (alsoreferred to herein as “photofinishing metadata”), can be retained in thecamera with electronic images after removal of the respective film unit,but is of little value to the user. Even if the removed film unit couldbe reloaded, it is expected that there would be little demand for acapability of changing photofinishing metadata, particularly sinceearlier electronic images may not be available for viewing as a resultof electronic image overwriting during continuing image capture.

Photofinishing metadata is distinguished from other metadata that isalso referred to herein as “image metadata”. Photofinishing metadatarelates only to the final images produced by photofinishing, while imagemetadata relates to a characteristic of both the final image and theelectronic image in the memory of the camera. For example, date and timeof capture of an image and geometric format are all image metadata.

The term “geometric format” is used here to refer to an original imagesize and shape and alternatives derived from that image by cropping,with or without subsequent enlargement of the cropped image. “Geometricformat” is thus inclusive of changes in aspect ratio, such as printformats “H”, “C”, and “P” provided by APS film units. “Geometric format”is also inclusive of other cropping, whether in a standardized orindividually selected manner. For example, without changing aspectratio, images can be cropped and enlarged (zoomed in) or cropped androtated. Geometric formats available in a particular use are subject toapplicable standards and practical limitations, particularly with theuse of photographic film as archival media. Non-standardized cropping ofindividual images can be practical if the film unit uses digital storagemedia instead of photographic film. For convenience, in the followingdiscussion, the features here are generally discussed in terms ofchanges in aspect ratios based on APS film units. Other film units areutilized, with similar or different types of cropping, in a like manner.

The method of revising stored metadata at film removal is illustrated inFIG. 8. A plurality of the archival image-evaluation image pairs arecaptured (198) by the camera 10. The electronic images of the imagepairs are stored (200) in memory 112. Photofinishing metadata for theimage pairs is generated (202), as is (204) image metadata for the imagepairs. The generation of metadata for individual image pairs can be atthe time of capture or later during user review of the electronic imagesshown on the image display. The metadata is written (206) to the cameramemory 112 when generated. The metadata is written (206) to the filmunit 18 at that time or later, as elsewhere discussed. The film unit 18is then removed (208) from the camera 10. The photofinishing and imagemetadata written to the film unit 18 is retained there for later readingby photofinishing equipment. The film unit removal (208) is preferablyafter the film unit has been filled to capacity with archival images,but can occur before that time if the camera provides mid-rollinterchange.

If desired, with a camera that provides mid-roll interchange, thetreatment of metadata provided by this method can be limited to onlycompleted film units. This function can be provided in a camera thatuses APS film units, by first reading the number of film framesavailable using the film unit reader-writer. The camera controller canthen count down film frame usage exposure by exposure.

Following the unloading (208) of the film unit 18, the photofinishingmetadata for the image pairs having archival images in that film unit,is irreversibly erased (210) from memory. Following the irreversibleerasure of photofinishing metadata, is the sequential, irreversibleerasure (212) from memory of the electronic images themselves and thecorresponding imaging metadata for those electronic images.

The photofinishing metadata can be irreversibly erased from memory whenthe corresponding film unit is unloaded. With a camera that uses a FIFOoverwriting queue; however, it is more convenient to move thephotofinishing metadata to the head of the FIFO overwriting queue. Inthat case, the photofinishing metadata is reversibly erased from memorywhen the film is unloaded. The photofinishing metadata is irreversiblyerased by overwriting, when additional electronic images are capturedand written to memory.

The terms “irreversibly erase” and “irreversibly delete” are used hereinas equivalents, as are the terms “reversibly erase” and “reversiblydelete”. Reversible erasure refers to the equivalent of erasure ordeleting on a personal computer; that is, the removal of a file fromordinary access without loss or destruction of the information in it. Aswith files in personal computers, files in the camera memory areirreversibly erased when overwritten by other information, such asanother image or metadata or non-information content like a sequence ofzeros.

The electronic images corresponding to the archival images in theunloaded film unit and corresponding image metadata are moved to thetail of the FIFO overwriting queue when the film unit is removed. Thoseelectronic images and their image metadata may or may not be reversiblyerased at the same time as being moved to the FIFO overwriting queue.Non-erasure allows the user to review earlier electronic images andtheir corresponding image metadata after removal of the film unit. Theuser can also download those images at that time. The reversible erasureof the electronic images and image metadata corresponding to a removedfilm unit is simpler, since the only images that can be viewed are thosecorresponding to the film unit currently in the camera.

In either case, an additional complexity is added if the camera cancapture both image pairs and electronic images without correspondingfilm images (also referred to the herein as “electronic-only images”).Such electronic-only images can be handled in a variety of ways. Forexample, electronic-only images can be immediately placed at the tail ofthe FIFO overwriting queue. Alternatively, electronic-only images can beblocked from overwriting until downloaded, in the same manner thatelectronic images corresponding to latent images on a loaded film unitare blocked from overwriting until the film unit is unloaded from thecamera. Electronic-only images are handled in the FIFO overwriting queueand the same manner as other images with the exception that any and allmetadata is considered to be image metadata, since there is nocorresponding film unit.

The electronic images and corresponding image metadata are irreversiblyerased following the irreversible erasure of the photofinishingmetadata, as memory space is needed to store additional images andmetadata. The order in which electronic images and corresponding imagemetadata are erased irreversibly from memory can be varied by changingthe FIFO order of different types of images. For example, the camera canprovide that when film is removed from the camera, any electronic imagewith print quantity set to zero, is moved to the head of the FIFOoverwriting queue.

FIG. 9 illustrates, in diagrammatical form, how the metadata andelectronic images in memory are overwritten. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, images and image metadata are erased reversibly when thecorresponding film unit is removed from the camera. (Reversibleinformation is shown in FIG. 9 covered by a dashed line “X”, whichindicates that the respective information or image is blocked from useraccess. An embodiment that did not provide for such reversible erasureof images and image metadata at film removal would appear the same, withthe exception that the dashed line X's would only be present on thephotofinishing metadata after film removal, indicating that only thephotofinishing metadata was blocked from user access.

FIG. 9 shows the memory at four different stages: a first stage 214 atcompletion of a first film unit, a second stage 216 part-way through asecond film unit, a third stage 218 further through the second filmunit, and a fourth stage 220 beginning a third film unit. The FIFOoverwriting queue at each stage is shown in Table 1. In FIG. 9, memory112 is illustrated as a rectangle. Units of memory 112 are allocated forelectronic images in blocks 222 of uniform size. Metadata is stored insubblocks 224 divided out of the larger blocks 222. Each block 222 hastwelve subblocks 224. Blocks 222 are identified by the sequence numberof the corresponding image pair. (These numbers are sequential based ontime of capture (a, b, c, 1, 2, 3 . . . ) and are otherwise arbitrary.Frame numbers were not used so as to avoid duplication.) Subblocks 224are identified by the sequence number of the corresponding image pairand by the letter “i” (indicating image metadata) or “p” (indicatingphotofinishing metadata).

TABLE 1 FIFO OVERWRITING QUEUE (Order is top (head) to bottom (tail) ineach column) Stage 1: Stage 2: part- Stage 3: further Stage 4:completion of way through through film unit beginning film film unit 1film unit 2 2 unit 3 image a 3p image 2 9p image b 4p image 3 and 3i 10pimage c 5p image 4 and 4i 11p 6p image 5 and 51 12p image b image 6 and6i image 5 image c image 6 image 1 and 1i image 7 and 7i image 2 and 2iimage 8 and 8i image 3 and 3i image 9 and 9i image 4 and 4i image 10 and10i image 5 and 5i image 11 and 11i image 6 and 6i image 12 and 12i

The relative locations in memory 112 of different blocks 222 andsubblocks 224 shown in FIG. 9 are a matter of convenience in thisexplanation and are otherwise of no consequence. For simplicity in thisexplanation, the memory 112 shown in FIG. 9 has a total of ten blocks222 and is used with film units 18 that each have six film frames.Blocks 222 and subblocks 224 are illustrated as physical subdivisions ofmemory. In an actual camera, blocks 222 and subblocks 224 can bephysical units or can be logical units that are defined by, in effect,piecing together portions of physical memory as needed, or can be somecombination of the two.

In this explanation of FIG. 9, electronic images and the correspondingimage metadata are only erased at film removal. In actual use, this maynot be the case. For example, user controls (not individuallyillustrated) can be provided on the camera which would allow the user toerase any electronic image and corresponding image metadata prior tofilm removal or rearrange the order of the FIFO overwriting queue. Asanother example, electronic images corresponding to a film unit not inmemory can be reassigned to the head of the FIFO overwriting queue atthe end of downloading. Similarly, electronic images can be erased andmoved to the head of the FIFO overwriting queue when correspondinglatent images have the print order number reduced to zero by the user.Temporary additions to and subtractions from the FIFO overwriting queuecould be illustrated in a drawing like FIG. 9 as temporary additions toor subtractions from the available blocks 222 and subblocks 224 ofmemory. To simplify the illustration, this has not been done.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, electronic images are reversiblyerased when a corresponding film unit is removed. Electronic imagesremain viewable, but, as in FIG. 7 b, are shown with indicia thatindicates the erased status. The “Erased” indicia is symbolized inrespective blocks and subblocks of FIG. 9 by an “X”. The electronicimages corresponding to a removed film unit can, alternatively, remainfully viewable until being overwritten (irreversibly erased) by anelectronic image of a succeeding film unit. In that case, it ispreferred that some other indicia, such as, “Prior film unit” or“Electronic image only” notify the user of the status of the images inthe FIFO queue in the same way as the “Erased” indicia. Imagesoriginally captured as electronic-only images can be treated in the sameway as images corresponding to prior film units.

Referring to FIG. 9, electronic images of archival image-electronicimage pairs of a first film unit are stored in the indicated numericalorder, as is the corresponding metadata. Space is provided in memory forelectronic images and metadata corresponding to all of the film frameson a film unit. For simplicity of illustration, specific blocks areshown as being allocated for use as metadata subblocks as needed. Theuser can review any and all of the electronic images and change userselectable metadata as desired, while the film unit is in the camera. Asearlier noted, some metadata is not user selectable, because it isdefined by the capture event. For example, the time and date are alsodefined. (Editable metadata is not necessarily limited to photofinishingmetadata and non-editable metadata is not necessarily limited to imagemetadata.)

The first stage 214 illustrated in FIG. 9 shows the state of memoryafter the completion of capture of the six image pairs. There are sixlatent images in the film unit (not shown) and six correspondingelectronic images (images 1–6) stored in memory along with imagemetadata (1 i–6 i) and photofinishing metadata (1 p–6 p) correspondingto each of the image pairs. In addition, the memory has three blockswhich each hold an earlier image (blocks a–c). Images in blocks a–c arein the FIFO overwriting queue with the image in block a at the head orstart of the overwriting queue and the image in block c at the tail orend of the overwriting queue.

Following user review of electronic images and user changes to themetadata, if any; the film unit is removed (not illustrated) andelectronic images 1–6 and corresponding metadata is reversibly erased.In so doing, the controller assigns the photofinishing metadata forimages 1–6 to the start of the FIFO overwriting queue, before or afterearlier images a, b, and c. Images 1 through 6 and corresponding imagemetadata are moved to the end of the FIFO overwriting queue, insequential order.

A new film unit is loaded in the camera, and a seventh image iscaptured. (The seventh image is the first image in the second filmunit.) This is the second stage shown in FIG. 9. Image a has beenoverwritten by image 7. Photofinishing metadata for the seventh image (7i and 7 p) is stored in some of the subblocks freed up by the erasure ofthe photofinishing metadata for images 1–6 (1 p–6 p). As shown in FIG.9, photofinishing metadata for images 1 and 2 (1 p and 2 p) has beenoverwritten by metadata for image 7 (7 i and 7 p). Referring to Table 1,at stage 2, the start of the FIFO overwriting queue has photofinishingmetadata 3 p, 4 p, 5 p, and 6 p and images b and c. The FIFO queuecontinues with images 1 through 6 and corresponding image metadata 1 i–6i.

FIG. 9 does not show separate stages for the capture of images 8 and 9,but continues with the third stage following capture of image 10, whichoverwrites image 1. Metadata for image 10 overwrites image metadata forimages 1 and 2. The FIFO queue, at this point, is limited to images 2–6and image metadata for images 3–6. Image capture and overwritingcontinues in a similar manner for images 11 and 12, with image 11overwriting image 2 and image 12 overwriting image 3. Following captureof image 12, the second film unit is replaced by the third film unit.This results in the assignment of images 6–12 and corresponding metadatato the FIFO queue. The photofinishing metadata is again assigned to thehead of the queue and the images and image metadata to the tail of thequeue. In stage 4, image 13 has been recorded over image 4. Metadata forimage 13 has been recorded over 7 p and 8 p.

This procedure can be varied, for example, by adding additional space inmemory for metadata. It will be apparent that images and correspondingimage metadata are not necessarily irreversibly erased at the same time.If this presents a risk of confusing the user, access to images that donot have corresponding image metadata can be denied. In FIG. 9, metadatais always written to the same block. Metadata can overwrite old imagesif more space is needed than would be available in subblocks previouslyused for metadata or if all space is made available using a common FIFOqueue and reassignment into blocks and subblocks as needed.

Metadata overwrites earlier electronic images only as needed. Similarresults can be achieved for memory that has metadata stored within imagefiles, however, the files have to be accessed, the metadata has to beremoved, and the files have to be rewritten to memory without metadata.This can be performed in the same manner as with a personal computer. Aparticular file is opened, the file is edited to remove metadata, andthe file is saved again to memory. The saving can overwrite the earlierfile and, thus, irretrievably destroy the metadata for the file, or canbe rewritten to a different physical location leaving the earlier copyof the file, including the metadata, for replacement as a matter ofcourse in a FIFO queue. Procedures and results are otherwise comparableto those earlier discussed.

In any case, with the approach shown in FIG. 9, photofinishing metadatais erased, reversibly or irreversibly, when a film unit is removed. Thespecific event used to trigger this erasing is tied to completion of useof the film unit, but is otherwise not critical. For example, metadatacan be erased when film is rewound, or when the film door is opened, orwhen film is removed, or even when the new film unit is loaded. It iscurrently preferred that metadata is erased from memory as a part of afinal process of writing the metadata to a film unit. Such a finalprocess can write metadata for the last image pair captured or can writeall of the metadata from storage in memory to the film unit for thefirst time, depending upon the camera.

Optional Selective Clearance of Electronic Images Upon Film Unit Removal

A camera that stores electronic images in a FIFO overwriting queue likethat earlier discussed, presents a problem in some uses, in terms ofprivacy and security. Electronic images in the camera are notoverwritten until replaced by later images. The earlier images areavailable for review either by simply pushing the verify button of thecamera, or, in the case of reversibly erased images, by accessing thememory using a recovery program comparable to those available forretrieval of erased images in a personal computer. With uses requiringsecurity of image, retrieval of erased images presents a risk, even ifcamera disassembly is required to access the erased images.

In a modification of the cameras and methods earlier described, thisproblem is solved by allowing selective clearance of electronic imagesby the user. Referring now to FIG. 10, image pairs are captured (198).Each image pair includes a latent image and corresponding electronicimage of the same scene. The camera memory is filled (222) to capacitywith the electronic images. The electronic images are sequentiallyreplaced (224) when full. This is preferably in a FIFO order using theFIFO overwriting queue earlier discussed. The film unit 18 load statusis tracked to determine when the film unit corresponding to electronicimages in memory, is removed. When this is detected (226), the selectiveclearance (228) of those electronic images is enabled. The user can thenclear selected electronic images.

Electronic images in the FIFO overwriting queue can be reversibly erasedor unerased. In the method here, it is highly preferred that all imagespresent in memory are fully reviewable by the user; since the usercannot otherwise easily identify which electronic images are present inmemory.

As in embodiments earlier discussed, while the film unit 18 is presentin the camera 10, the controller 36 precludes irreversible erasure ofelectronic images corresponding to film images in the loaded film unit.The signaler 150 signals the controller 36 when the film unit 18 isremoved. At that time, selective clearance of the electronic images inmemory 112 is enabled.

The terms “clear” and “clearance” and the like, are used herein in thesame sense as the term “irreversible erasure”, to refer to reversibleerasure of a file followed by overwriting with other information. Theterm “clearance” is used rather than “irreversible overwriting” toidentify those situations in which the overwriting information is not alater image or metadata, but rather dummy data that is meaningless orunimportant, such as a string of zeros or some other repeated textstring or image data for a blank screen or a test pattern or the like.The dummy data may or may not have some ancillary meaning, but is usedhere for the purpose of overwriting existing information. If desired,the overwriting information can include or trigger a message on adisplay to the effect that the respective memory has been cleared.

When an electronic image is cleared from memory, metadata relating tothe image is erased. The metadata can be reversibly erased, but it ispreferred that the metadata is cleared, since this treats metadata foran electronic image in the same manner as the image and adds anadditional small increment of security and privacy. In particularembodiments, clearance of an image and its metadata can also includeerasure of previously used filenames or the equivalent in a fileallocation table or the like. Such erasure can include overwriting offilenames. This may be unnecessary if the controller assigns arbitrarydesignations as filenames, but may be desirable if filenames are derivedfrom the date and time of image capture.

What remains after clearance can be referred to as “empty space” sinceany data present is not meaningful. After clearance, the empty space isassigned to the head of the FIFO overwriting queue and is reused asneeded. Software is available commercially for personal computers thatprovides clearance of selected files. The data set that is used tooverwrite preexisting information in personal computers is likewiseunimportant and can be, for example, a string of zeros. As with thesoftware of personal computers, the camera can overwrite a prior fileonce during clearance or can use a more rigorous procedure to overwritemultiple times if security of information is a critical issue and thetype of memory used would otherwise possibly retain some of theinformation that was present in the original file. In currentlypreferred embodiments of the camera, the memory used is electronic andis only overwritten a single time during clearance.

Referring to FIG. 1, the camera 10 here is like those earlier discussed,with the exception that the signaler 150 is not optional, since thesignaler 150 is required to provide an indication to the controller 36when a film unit 18 has been removed so that the controller 36 can thenenable clearance. The camera 10 also provides user controls 144 thatallow the user to clear images when desired.

FIG. 11 illustrates use of an embodiment of the camera 10 in which theimage display 32 and the information display 118 are used forinstructions and software defined user controls. In this embodiment,when a film unit 18 is removed, a message 230 is provided on one of thedisplays of the user interface 140 that asks whether the user wishes toclear electronic images in memory. Separate buttons 232,234 are definedfor yes and no. To help the user understand current status, a statusmessage 236 can also be provided that indicates that no film is loaded.As with the other embodiments discussed herein, icons or other indiciacan be used in place of one or more of the described alphanumericmessages.

If the user actuates the button 234 for “No” (not shown), then thecamera resumes a capture ready state. In preferred embodiments, theimage display 32 is deactivated in the ready state. The informationdisplay 118 is activated and indicates capture related informationincluding the fact that no film is loaded.

In FIG. 11, the user actuates the user control 232 for “Yes”. (Useractions are indicated by arrows 238,240,242,244 in FIG. 11.) The userinterface then displays a message 246 asking whether the user wishes toclear all of the electronic images in memory or only selected images.The user is presented with software defined user controls 248,250 fortwo choices “Clear all” and “Select for clearing”. If the user selects“Clear all” (not shown), then all electronic images in memory arecleared and the camera returns to the ready state. In FIG. 11, the useractuates the “Select for clearing” button 250. The user interface 240then presents an electronic image on the image display 32 and, on theinformation display 118, provides defined user controls 156 and 158 forstepping forward and backward through the images and changing sequence,as above discussed. Image information, such as date and time or capture,can be provided on the information display. (This is indicated in FIG.11 by “<image information>”.) The image information is derived fromimage metadata stored in memory.

A clearance control 252 is provided to allow the user to clear thedisplayed image. In FIG. 11, the clearance control 252 is a softwaredefined button. The user selects (indicated by arrow 242) to clear theimage shown. The user interface next shows the succeeding image. Theuser sequences through the remaining electronic images (not shown),clearing images as desired. When done clearing images, the user changesthe camera to the ready state, by pressing the enter button 182(indicated by arrow 244). An automatic return to the ready state,following a period of inactivity, can optionally also be provided, usinga timer (a clock 254 of the controller 36).

Referring now to FIG. 12, the effect of optional selective clearing onthe overwriting queue is illustrated. The queue is simplified in thesame manner as in FIG. 9, such that the memory has a total of ten blocksand the camera is used with film units that each have six film frames.Metadata is stored and handled in the same manner as earlier discussedin relation to FIG. 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, electronicimages are reversibly erased when a corresponding film unit is removed.

At the first stage 256 in FIG. 12, the memory 112 holds six electronicimages (1–6) from a currently loaded film unit 18 along withcorresponding metadata (1 i–6 i, 1 p–6 p). The memory 112 also has threeelectronic images a–c, from an earlier film unit. In the second stage258, the film unit corresponding to electronic images 1 through 6 hasbeen removed. Photofinishing metadata (1 p–6 p) corresponding to images1 through 6 has been erased. The user has selectively cleared electronicimages 3 and 5. In this embodiment, the corresponding metadata (3 i, 3p, 5 i, 5 p) for images 3 and 5 is also cleared. Cleared images andcorresponding metadata are replaced by empty space 260. Images 1, 2, 4,6, 8, and c remain in memory.

At the third stage 262, a new film unit has been loaded in the camera.Images 7–9 have been captured. Images 7 and 8 are stored in the formerlyempty space that had earlier been used by images 3 and 5. Image 9overwrites electronic image a. Metadata for images 7–8 is stored informerly empty space. Metadata for image 9 is stored in place ofphotofinishing metadata (1 p–2 p) for images 1 and 2.

In the fourth stage 264 shown in FIG. 12, additional images 10–12 havebeen captured. Images 10 and 11 overwrite images b and c and image 12overwrites electronic image 1. Metadata overwrites earlier metadata inthe same manner as discussed above in relation to FIG. 9.

The camera can, optionally, be configured to give the user the choice ofcapturing image pairs in a film unit or electronic-only images that lacka corresponding latent image in the film unit. In this case, the cameracan enable clearance of electronic-only images at all times or onlyunder certain conditions. For example, the camera could enable clearanceof electronic-only images only following removal of a film unit or thecamera could preclude clearance of electronic-only images until thoseimages were downloaded. The camera can provide for both selectiveclearing of electronic-only images and selective reversible erasure ofelectronic-only images, as discussed above, in relation to FIG. 9.

Demonstration Mode

Referring now to FIGS. 13–15, in a particular embodiment, the camera hasone or more normal modes, in which images are captured and stored asearlier described, and a demonstration mode in which a capturedelectronic image is immediately overwritten by the next captured image.Other images in memory are not affected. In demonstration mode, theoverwriting of the last captured image occurs even if there is emptyspace available in memory. This continues indefinitely until the camerais taken out of demonstration mode and returned to a normal mode. Atthat time, the last captured demonstration image is overwritten first,and then images in the overwriting queue are overwritten in sequence, asabove described.

In the following discussion, the camera is discussed in terms of asingle normal mode in which images are captured on film and as acorresponding electronic image. The camera can be so limited or,alternatively, can have more than one normal mode. For example, thecamera can have a first, digital capture only, normal mode and a second,digital and film capture, normal mode.

The method is illustrated in FIG. 13. A first electronic image iscaptured (266) and stored (268) in memory. A second electronic image iscaptured (270). The camera 10 checks (272) for the presence of a loadedfilm unit 18. This checking can be continuous or can rely on a logicflag (not shown) set by the signaler 150 when a film unit is unloaded.If no film unit is present, then the camera is in a demonstration modeand the first electronic image in memory 112 is replaced (274) by thesecond electronic image. This can be an overwriting or, alternatively,the first electronic image can be cleared and the second electronicimage can be written into memory separately. If a film unit is present,then the camera is in a normal mode and the images are handled in anormal manner and both the first and second electronic images are stored(276) in memory.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the operation of the demonstration mode inrelation to the overwriting queue is illustrated. The queue issimplified and shown in the same manner as in FIGS. 9 and 12. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 14, electronic images are reversibly erasedwhen a corresponding film unit is removed.

At the first stage 278 in FIG. 14, the memory 112 holds six electronicimages from a currently loaded film unit along with correspondingmetadata. The memory also has three electronic images, a–c, from anearlier film unit. The film unit having images corresponding toelectronic images 1–6 is removed and the camera switches todemonstration mode.

At the second stage 280 shown in FIG. 14, an electronic image, image 7,is captured in demonstration mode. Image 7 replaces the image at thehead of the overwriting queue, image a. Metadata is not captured indemonstration mode and, thus, no overwriting of metadata occurs.

At the third stage 282 shown in FIG. 14, another demonstration modeelectronic image, image 8, has been captured. Image 8 replaces image 7.

The camera is switched back to a normal mode and another electronicimage, image 9, is captured in the fourth stage 284 shown in FIG. 14.Image 9 replaces the last demonstration mode image.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a last demonstration modeimage is erased at the end of a demonstration session. A demonstrationsession is deemed as ended when the display is inactivated. This occurswhen the camera is inactivated, or switched to a capture mode, or theimage display only is inactivated by the user or a timer. Uponreactivation of the inactivated image display or camera, the camera isin a default mode, which is preferably a capture mode and morepreferably a hybrid film and electronic capture mode. The erasure of thedemonstration mode image can be reversible or irreversible. Ifreversible, it is preferred that access to the demonstration mode imagebe circumscribed by requiring extraordinary measures on the part of theuser. This approach, of treating nonvolatile memory as if it werevolatile memory in some situations, reduces the risk of confusing theuser as to the status of temporary images captured in the demonstrationmode.

The controller 36 of the camera 10 in this embodiment is modified toprovide the control and display functions of the demonstration mode. Thecamera 10 enters the demonstration mode when the camera 10 remainsactivated after film unit 18 removal and when the camera 10 is turned onand no film is present in the film holder 52.

A picture is taken and then reviewed in the demonstration mode, in thesame manner as in the normal picture taking modes. Referring to FIG. 15,the shutter release 142 is pressed (indicated by arrow 286) and then theverify button 152 is pressed. No image is shown on the image display 32until the verify button 152 is pressed (indicated by arrow 288) and theimage display 32 is inactivated by the controller 36 when the verifybutton 152 is again pressed or after a brief period of inactivity.

Electronic images captured in the demonstration mode can be displayed onthe image display 32 in the same manner as other images. It is preferredthat the controller 36 preclude access to images in the demonstrationmode other than the last captured image. This simplifies a demonstrationof camera functions and, in addition, prevents user confusion as towhether a demonstration mode image has been saved in the same manner asnormal mode images.

Thus, in FIG. 15, no image is initially shown on the image display 32.Only the last captured demonstration mode image is shown in thedemonstration mode. Other electronic images in memory 112 areunavailable unless the camera 10 is taken out of demonstration mode. Forexample, referring to FIG. 15, the camera could be placed in editingmode by the user pressing the edit button 168.

It is preferred that the camera 10 indicate to the user when it is indemonstration mode, whether or not an image is being shown on the imagedisplay. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the information displaycarries the message “NO FILM-DEMO MODE” 290 at all times while thecamera is in demonstration mode. In this embodiment, the camera also hasthe optional feature of being switchable into a digital only capturemode when no film is present. The camera has a software defined usercontrol 292 which includes the information display caption “Digital onlymode”. This digital mode switch 292 can be pressed to switch the camerafrom the demonstration mode to the digital only mode.

Stored Electronic Image Conversion to Selected Geometric Format

In the cameras disclosed herein, while a film unit is in the camera,corresponding electronic images stored in memory have been the samegeometric format as the film frame on which the corresponding film imageis recorded. This allows the user to review an electronic image and makechanges in geometric format, such as changing the ordered print formatfor film prints either at the time of capture, after capture, or at somelater time prior to removal of the film unit. As earlier discussed,after a film unit has been unloaded, corresponding electronic images canremain in the camera and can be subject to review and downloading.

In particular embodiments, the cameras 10 provide stored imageconversion when the film unit is removed. The stored electronic imagesassociated with a film unit are automatically converted from a defaultgeometric format to the designated geometric format in memory, when thefilm unit is removed from the camera. This conversion saves memoryspace. This approach also prevents possible later user confusion, sincethe user might otherwise attempt to change the format of photofinishedprints, after film removal, without realizing that the effort onlychanged the electronic images. This approach relies on the user'searlier decision on geometric format when downloading an electronicimage after film removal rather than asking the user for a repetition ofthat decision. There is also no ultimate loss of image information,since the full format image is retained on film, which can be scanned toprovide electronic image in whatever resolution is desired, wheneverneeded.

The feature here of reducing the size of electronic images to matchselected cropping of images in a film unit, is dependent upon use of afilm unit that the captures images in a default aspect ratio and allowsthe user to selectively define an aspect ratio for a photofinishedprints or other final image. The final image is then produced bycropping the original captured film image at photofinishing. It ishighly preferred, that the film unit retains all of the imageinformation of the originally captured film image. This allows the userto later change aspect ratio decisions and produce final images in otheraspect ratios. The following discussion is primarily directed to changesin geometric format limited to changes in APS “C”, “H”, and “P” printformats and corresponding image aspect ratios, but the sameconsiderations apply to other types of film units and geometric formatchanges. The features here are, however, also suitable for otherelectronic cropping, whether in a standardized or individually selectedmanner. For example, images can be zoomed and cropped or cropped androtated. This is particularly apt if the film unit uses digital storagemedia instead of photographic film. For convenience, in the followingdiscussion, the features here are generally discussed in terms of APSfilm units. Other film units can be utilized, with similar or differenttypes of cropping in a like manner.

The stored electronic image conversion is illustrated by FIGS. 1, 6, and16–17. Image pairs are captured (198) in the camera 10 and stored (200)in memory 112 and in a film unit 112 having archival media. The userthen changes the geometric format of one or more of the image pairs.Ordinarily this is done by the user calling up stored electronic images,reviewing those images on the display, changing the displayed images tothe various aspect ratios, and inputting selections of desired aspectratios.

FIG. 6 illustrates selective alteration of APS print formats in anembodiment of the camera. In edit mode, a visible indication of theselected “C” and/or “H” and/or “P” print format(s) is shown on theinformation display 118. Preferably, the image display 32 also shows theelectronic image in cropped form matching the aspect ratio of theselected “C”, “H”, or “P” print format recorded on the film. The userpresses the format designator 172 to view a displayed image in a changedaspect ratio and presses the Enter button 182 while a desired aspectratio is indicated, to record that aspect ratio with the respectiveimage pair. The controller 36 is operatively connected to the formatdesignator 172. In response to entry of geometric format changes,software and hardware of the controller 36 that act as a memory writer294 record a print format in memory 112. The controller 36 also causesthe film writer/reader 184 to record the print format in the film unit18.

As earlier discussed, geometric formats that are unchanged have adefault value. It is preferred that the default geometric formatcorrespond to the full image capture on the archival media. Inparticular embodiments using APS film, the electronic image associatedwith an exposed film frame loaded in the camera is stored in memory as afull image in H format.

After geometric formats have been input by the user, the controllerrecords (296) the geometric format information in the memory 112. Thegeometric format information is also recorded (298) in the film unit 18.As earlier discussed, this can occur whenever the geometric format ratioof an image pair is changed or, alternatively, can be delayed until justbefore the film unit is removed from the camera. In this latter case,the geometric format information is temporarily stored in memory.Geometric format information associated with electronic images of theimage pairs stored in the memory can be used for this purpose orduplicate information can be provided.

The film unit 18 is next removed (300) from the camera 10 and electronicimages in memory 112 are abridged (302) to selected geometric formats.Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 16–17, the controller has software andhardware that act as an abridgement unit, which abridges respectiveelectronic images to convert the image files to the respective geometricformats of the image pair. When a film unit is removed from the camera,the electronic images in memory are abridged to a smaller size if therespective geometric format indicates that the user has selected acropped final image. The abridged electronic images replace (304), inmemory 112, respective initial electronic images; resulting in anincrease in available memory space.

FIG. 17 illustrates this, in simplified diagrammatical form, for amemory 112 having space for two H format images 305 a, 306 a. The memory112 also holds photofinishing metadata 308,310 for each of theelectronic images that indicates that the selected aspect ratio is P.(This is illustrated in FIG. 17 by a capital latter P within a dashedline border.) After the film unit has been removed from the camera, thecontroller crops the electronic images 305 a,306 a so as to include onlythose parts of the original image that correspond to a P format finalimage. The controller then records the resulting abridged electronicimages 305 b,306 b in memory 112 replacing the original images 305 a,306a in memory 112 with the abridged images 305 b,306 b. The metadata308,310 indicating the P format is redundant at this time and ispreferably discarded to free up additional space in memory 112. Otherphotofinishing related metadata, such as prints ordered, saved in memorywith the print format metadata can be deleted at the same time. FIG. 17shows that replacing the initial electronic images 305 a,306 a with theabridged electronic images 305 b,306 b, which are cropped to P format,free up a large block of additional space 312 in memory.

Electronic images are illustrated in the figures as if the image dataformed a viewable image in memory. This is a matter of convenience inexplanation and is useful for illustrating a relative size of an imagein memory and how that size can be reduced by cropping (eliminatinginformation for some part of the image). As a further convenience,images are illustrated here as all being of the same size, unlesscropped. This should not be understood to suggest that the cameras andmethods herein are limited to simplified memory management schemesresembling the figures, nor that the memory is limited to simplifiedstorage schemes of uncompressed image files or image files subject touniform compression.

Discussion here is primarily directed to a film unit that is removedfrom the camera only after all of the image capacity of the film unithas been filled. The camera can, optionally, also provide for mid-rollchange (also referred to as mid-roll interrupt). This is a feature ofsome APS cameras. In that case, the camera can treat a mid-roll changeof a film unit as a removal of the film unit. Alternatively, the cameracan treat a mid-roll change as a non-removal event. In that case,abridgement of electronic images only occurs when a fully filled filmunit is unloaded from the camera. The latter approach is not preferredsince memory space is not saved. It is preferred, that electronic imagesbe abridged when a film unit is removed for mid-roll change. In thatcase, the user can return a film unit to the camera after mid-rollchange and still change aspect ratios, but the effect of changes cannotbe seen on the image display. Alternatively, after returning a film unitto a camera, the user can be precluded from changing geometric formatsof images captured on a film unit prior to removal of the film unit formid-roll change. If desired, a warning can be provided to the user onone or more of the displays of the camera indicating that geometricformats of earlier images will be unchangeable or displayed images willbe abridged after a film unit is removed. A similar warning can beprovided whenever a completed film unit is removed, if desired. Thewarning can be presented in any manner, such as by indicia or an audiblemessage using a speaker (not shown) on the camera, or a combination ofthe two. It is preferred that the warning is easily understood by theuser. For this reason, a warning in the form of a simple warning lightor the like, is not desirable. A warning in the form of a textualmessage or easily understood icon is currently preferred. Warningindicia can be presented on the image display or the information displayor both.

The camera 10 is like those earlier described and has a signaler 150that signals the controller 36 when a film unit 18 is unloaded. Themanner of operation of the signaler 150 is not critical. The timing ofthe conversion of the image files in memory to corresponding filescropped to the respective geometric formats, is concurrent with freeingof the film unit from the camera, but is otherwise not critical. Forexample, this can occur during rewinding of a completed film cartridgeor can occur when a new film unit is loaded following removal of theearlier completed film unit. Timing of this conversion can be based uponavailable processor time and user convenience.

Alternately, the stored electronic image can be converted to thedesignated geometric format when the image is downloaded from thecamera. Conversion at this time may be more convenient since it adds nodelays to the rewind and film removal process.

Downloaded Electronic Images Having Reduced Metadata

In particular embodiments, the time required for downloading electronicimages is reduced by eliminating from image files metadata relating tophotofinishing. Referring now to FIG. 18, the image pairs are captured(198) and electronic images are stored in memory (200). Photofinishingmetadata and image metadata are generated (202),(204) and have the samecharacteristics as earlier discussed. As above discussed, the metadatais generated at capture, or when electronic images are later reviewed.The metadata is stored (314) in memory in association with correspondingelectronic images. The metadata is stored in the film unit inassociation the corresponding archival images.

When a downloading signal is received by the controller of the camera,one or more electronic images are downloaded to a computer, network, orother image manipulation device. To save space in memory of the camera,electronic images can be erased following downloading of thoseelectronic images as downloaded files. The erasure can be reversible orirreversible and is handled in the overwriting queue of memory in thesame manner as other erasures earlier discussed. The downloadedelectronic images can also be retained in memory without erasure, butwith abridgement to the aspect ratio of respective archival images. Ifthe downloaded electronic images are retained, photofinishing metadatacan be deleted from memory. The photofinishing metadata is not lost atthe time of downloading even if the corresponding electronic image andits associated metadata is erased from the camera at downloading. Thisis because the photofinishing metadata and image metadata is recorded inthe film unit in association with respective archival images. Thephotofinishing metadata and image metadata is retained in the film unitat least until photofinishing, and preferably after photofinishing also.

It is currently preferred, that downloaded electronic images areprovided as image files which include associated metadata. This isillustrated in diagrammatical form in FIG. 21. The image file 311 islike other computer files and has a header 313, image information 315,and metadata 317 assigned to that image information. Electronic imagesand metadata can be stored in the same manner in the memory of thecamera. In the downloaded files, the associated metadata is limited toimage metadata. No matter the form, the electronic images and metadataare revised (316) in the camera at downloading (318), as necessary, tolimit the downloaded metadata to image metadata.

FIG. 6 illustrates use of a print format designator. Like designatorscan be provided for other user-changeable metadata, such as number ofprints, output selections, captions, and the like. Other metadata issupplied by the controller, such as date and time of capture. Theelectronic subsystem can include additional components that supplyinformation such as detected ambient lighting to the controller forinclusion in metadata.

As earlier discussed, the camera has a communications port 124 thatprovides for the passage of signals to and from the controller 36 and animage manipulation device 126, such as a local or networked computer orprinter. Communications protocols for this purpose are well known tothose of skill in the art, as is the necessary hardware.

Downloading can be controlled by the image manipulation device 126 viathe communications port 124, but it is preferred that the camera 10 haveuser controls 144 which the user can operate to control downloading.Referring now to FIG. 19, in a particular embodiment, a download message320 is shown on the image display 32 when the communications port (shownin FIG. 1) is connected to an image manipulation device (symbolized inFIG. 19 by abbreviated line 322). The message 320 asks the user whetherall images or selected images are to be downloaded and provides asoftware defined download control 324 that provides buttons 326,328 forall image and selected images. As is the case with other softwaredefined user controls described herein, a cancel button 330 can beprovided to return the camera to an earlier or default state. Thedownload control can be part of the computer or other image manipulationdevice rather than the camera, but that is not currently preferred.Downloading of all or selected images can be subject to automaticmodification using predefined rules. For example, an image can beautomatically skipped when photofinishing metadata for the number ofprints film of that image is set to zero.

In FIG. 19, the user presses (indicated by arrow 332) the all button326. The user is then given the opportunity to select individual imagesfor downloading (indicated by arrow 334 in FIG. 19). It is not criticalhow this is implemented. In FIG. 19, the image display 32 shows amessage 336 that indicates that the user should press the Enter button182 when images have been selected. The camera also provides a softwaredefined continue button 338 that is pressed (indicated by arrow 340) bythe user to begin selecting images. The camera then provides as softwaredefined user controls 144: an image selector 156, a sequence control158, and a download selector 342. The user presses (indicated by arrow344) the download selector 342 to indicated images for downloading andthen presses (indicated by arrow 346) the Enter button to initiate thedownload 334.

Downloaded Electronic Images Having Cropped Geometric Format

In particular embodiments, the time required for downloading electronicimages is reduced by abridging downloaded electronic images to thegeometric format of the corresponding archival image. Referring now toFIG. 20, image pairs are captured (198) in the camera and stored (200)in memory 112. The archival image of each pair and the correspondinginitial electronic image have the same initial or default geometricformat. (With APS film, this would have the same aspect ratio as printformat “H”.)

The memory 112 and the film unit 18 each have an indication, for eachmember of the image pair, of the default geometric format of each image.One convenient form for this default indication is the absence of anentry in metadata, for no change from the default value. At the time ofcapture or during later review of the images, the user changes thegeometric format of one or more of the image pairs to a second geometricformat different than the first geometric format. The changed geometricformat is recorded (348) in memory and the film unit. An example of aprocedure for changing geometric formats of image pairs, in a particularembodiment of the camera using APS film, is discussed above andillustrated in FIG. 6.

Electronic images are later downloaded (350) from memory 112. Thedownloaded images are reformatted (352) to respective selected geometricformats. Downloading is conducted and uses the same camera features asearlier discussed.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic images are formatted so as toappear in the geometric format selected for the particular image pair,but the downloaded files retain all of the information from the initialelectronic images. In this case, the format of images produced from thedownloaded files can be changed so as to restore the appearance ofrespective initial electronic images. This approach provides aconvenience in first viewing the downloaded files on a computer or otherimage manipulation device, since the format first seen is what the userselected; but does not provide the advantage of reducing the amount ofinformation that has to be downloaded.

In a preferred embodiment, the downloaded files are abridged, that is,cropped, to the geometric format selected for the image pair. If animage has the default geometric format selected, then the cropping tothe selected geometric format has no effect. With other geometricformats, the electronic images are cropped to a smaller size. Thisreduces the size of corresponding downloaded image files. This reductionin image content and size decreases the time required for downloading.FIG. 17 illustrates, in diagrammatical form the space saved in memory bycropping image files. Like savings are provided in downloading time andin storage in a computer or other image manipulation device.

Concurrent with downloading, electronic images can be erased in any ofthe various manners earlier described, if desired.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A method for handling images in a hybrid camera comprising the stepsof: capturing a plurality of image pairs in a camera, each said imagepair having an archival image of a scene and an initial electronic imageof the same scene, said archival image of each said pair having a firstaspect ratio; storing said initial electronic images in memory;recording in association with selected image pairs of said plurality, adesignation of a alternative aspect ratio different than said firstaspect ratio; changing said initial electronic images of said selectedimage pairs to respective said alternative aspect ratios to providere-formatted electronic images without any reduction in image density;and downloading said re-formatted electronic images.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said re-formatting further comprises adding to saidinitial electronic images indications of the respective said alternativeaspect ratios.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said initial electronicimages are in said first aspect ratio.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid initial electronic images are restorable from said re-formattedelectronic images without any change in image density.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said first aspect ratio is a different aspect ratio thansaid alternative aspect ratio and said re-formatting further comprisescropping each of said initial electronic images of said selected imagepairs to the respective said alternative aspect ratio to provideabridged electronic images.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein saidcropping further comprises replacing in said memory, said initialelectronic images of said selected image pairs with said abridgedelectronic images.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said abridgedelectronic images require less space in said memory than the initialelectronic images.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said method furthercomprises loading a film unit including photographic film in the cameraprior to said capturing; said archival images are latent images and saidrecording further comprises writing said designations to said film unitin association with respective said latent images of said selected imagepairs.
 9. A method of handling images in a hybrid camera comprising:capturing a plurality of image pairs; storing initial electronic imageshaving a first geometric format in memory; recording designations of atleast one aternative geometric format; re-formatting at least oneelectronic image with at least one alternative geometric format;downloading said at least one re-formatted electronic image; anddeleting said electronic images from said memory, concurrent with saiddownloading of said re-formatted electronic images.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said method further comprises loading a film unit in thecamera prior to said capturing; and said recording further compriseswriting said designations of said alternative aspect ratio to said filmunit.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording includes writingsaid designations of said alternative aspect ratio to said film unit inassociation with respective said archival images and writing saiddesignations of said alternative aspect ratio to said memory inassociation with respective said electronic images.
 12. A method forhandling images in a hybrid electronic-photographic film cameracomprising the steps of: capturing a plurality of image pairs in acamera, each said image pair having a latent image of a scene onphotographic film and an initial electronic image of the same scene,said latent image of each said pair having a first aspect ratio; storingsaid initial electronic images in memory; assigning one of a pluralityof aspect ratios formats to each of said image pairs, said plurality ofaspect ratios including said first aspect ratio and one or morealternative aspect ratios, said alternative aspect ratios beingdifferent from each other and from said first aspect ratio;re-formatting said initial electronic images to respective said aspectratios to provide re-formatted electronic images without any reductionin image density; and downloading said re-formatted electronic images.13. The method of claim 12 wherein said assigning further compriseswriting a designation of said alternative aspect ratios to saidphotographic film in association with respective said latent images. 14.The method of claim 12 wherein said re-formatting further comprisesadding indications of said alternative aspect ratios to respective saidinitial electronic images.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein saidre-formatted electronic images are in said first aspect ratio.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said initial electronic images are restorablefrom said re-formatted electronic images without any change in imagedensity.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said re-formatting furthercomprises cropping respective said initial electronic images to saidalternative aspect ratio without any change in image density.
 18. Ahybrid camera for use with a film unit, said camera comprising: a body;an archival capture unit disposed in said body, said archival captureunit selectively capturing archival images in the film unit; adesignator selectively switchable, in relation to each said archivalimage, among a plurality of different aspect ratios to define a selectedaspect ratio for each said archival image; a film writer writingdesignations of one or more of said aspect ratios to said film unit inassociation with respective said archival images; an electronic captureunit disposed in said body, said electronic capture unit capturinginitial electronic images corresponding to said archival images, saidinitial electronic images being in a first aspect ratio of saidplurality of aspect ratios; memory storing said electronic images; ancontroller operatively connected to said memory and said designator,said controller re-formatting said initial electronic images to saidselected aspect ratios of respective said archival images to providere-formatted electronic images without any reduction in image density;and a communications port operatively connectable to said memory todownload said re-formatted electronic images.
 19. The camera of claim 18wherein said controller adds to said initial electronic images,indications of respective said aspect ratios.
 20. The camera of claim 18wherein said controller crops said initial electronic images torespective said aspect ratios without any change in image density.